THE Federal Government has disbursed a total of ₦330 billion to 8.1 million households nationwide under its National Social Safety Net Programme (NSSNP), in what officials describe as the most extensive social protection effort in Nigeria’s history.
News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, following a review meeting of the Special Presidential Panel on Social Investment, inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu earlier this year.
Edun said the programme, designed to cushion the impact of economic reforms including subsidy removal and exchange rate unification on Nigeria’s poorest citizens, had experienced delays due to data validation challenges but is now “firmly back on track.”
“We are pleased to report that the social protection programme, which provides a safety net to help Nigerians cope with rising prices, is now running smoothly. Already, 8.1 million households have received at least one tranche of the ₦25,000 stipend, with two more payments outstanding,” Edun said.
According to Edun, the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) into the programme was crucial to eliminating fraud, duplication, and political interference.
He disclosed that 2.2 million households were cleared and paid in the last cycle after successful biometric validation. “The digital system now ensures that payments go directly to verified beneficiaries through bank accounts and mobile wallets, making the programme robust, transparent, and sustainable,” he added.
The scheme is partially backed by an $800 million World Bank facility, with the scope expanded from an initial target of 15 million households to 19.7 million households covering about 70 million Nigerians.
National Coordinator of the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Funmi Olotu, provided further insights, revealing that over 10.2 million NINs were collected during household verification exercises, with 9.6 million validated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
She emphasized that only validated beneficiaries receive payments, stressing that the National Social Register is shielded from political manipulation.
“The register is not a political list. Not even Mr. President or the Minister of Finance can add names to it. It is a database built on verified household visits,” Olotu said.
She also disclosed that President Tinubu had signed an Executive Order mandating the NSR as the sole database for all government social intervention programmes going forward.
Data from the Presidential Panel on National Social Investment Programmes shows that:
61% of households are female-headed,
36% of beneficiaries fall within the 51–65 age bracket, followed by 30% aged 21–35,
The North-West accounted for the largest share with 3 million households (72% of disbursements), while the South received 28%.
This reflects an intentional targeting of women and older populations most vulnerable to economic shocks
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its June 2025 report acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in building a structured safety net but warned that sustained investment was needed to prevent poverty and food insecurity from undermining growth.
Edun agreed, stressing that Nigeria now has the capacity to budget annually for direct support to its most vulnerable citizens.
“This programme represents a shift in our economic philosophy. For the first time, Nigeria has a credible, transparent and sustainable system to support its most vulnerable people, in line with the President’s commitment to inclusive growth,” he declared.