As part of a renewed national push to alleviate poverty and cushion economic hardship, the Federal Government has expanded its National Cash Transfer Programme to reach 15 million vulnerable citizens, with Oyo State intensifying efforts to ensure the scheme reaches the state’s most disadvantaged residents.
The expansion was spotlighted on Thursday at a stakeholder sensitisation meeting on the National Social Safety Nets Programme – Scale-Up, held at the DSC Hotel, Iyaganku GRA, in Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mofoluwake Ibitoye, described social protection as a cornerstone of the state’s poverty reduction strategy.
“This programme isn’t just about handing out money—it’s about restoring dignity, empowering families, and breaking the cycle of poverty,” Ibitoye noted.
The scale-up, coordinated by the National Cash Transfer Office in Abuja, will provide ₦25,000 in three tranches to each verified beneficiary across the country.
According to Balogun, the cash will go to individuals captured in the National Social Register, including thousands of Oyo State residents.
She praised Governor Seyi Makinde for championing social welfare and acknowledged the dedication of field officers implementing the programme.
Also speaking, Mrs. Temitope Fagbola, who represented Mrs. Aderonke Adedayo, Special Adviser to the Governor on General Intervention and Donor Funds, said more than 150,000 households in Oyo have already received cash support in the past six months.
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“The transfers are made directly into verified bank accounts linked with NINs and BVNs to eliminate fraud and ensure transparency,” she stated.
Though modest, the ₦25,000 per tranche is seen by many as a lifeline amid worsening economic hardship triggered by the fuel subsidy removal and ongoing naira instability.
Akintunde Gbadamosi, the state Programme Manager, explained that efforts are underway to streamline disbursement through debit cards and direct CBN payments, ensuring faster, more secure fund delivery.
He emphasized that only individuals listed in the state’s Social Register and who possess valid National Identification Numbers are eligible.
Representatives from the National Orientation Agency, National Identity Management Commission, and Department of State Services commended the initiative, calling it timely and impactful given Nigeria’s current economic realities.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the programme reaches its target groups by assisting with identity verification, security monitoring, and public awareness campaigns.
As the programme scales nationwide, it reflects a growing recognition by both federal and state governments that targeted cash support can play a critical role in stabilising households and promoting resilience.