FG Disburses Over ₦421 Billion in Conditional Cash Transfers — Sununu

The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu, has revealed that the Federal Government has disbursed more than ₦421 billion to Nigerians under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, Sununu said significant progress had been made in the implementation of the CCT scheme, stressing that hundreds of billions had already reached beneficiaries across the country.

Atiku’s Rising Influence In ADC Sparks Tension As Obi Battles For Space Ahead Of 2027

Conditional Cash Transfer: Who Qualifies and How

The minister explained that eligibility for the CCT programme required registration in the National Social Register (NSR) — a database designed to identify and target the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria.

According to him, the register currently contains over 18.9 million households. Additionally, there is the Rapid Response Register (RRR), which is used to extract and prioritise the most vulnerable groups from the NSR for urgent assistance.

“It’s for you to satisfy all that is needed to be in the National Social Register. Now, if you’re in the National Social Register, which we have over 18 million, 18.9 million households, there is also what we call, in terms of extracting the most vulnerable groups, another register that we call the Rapid Response Register,” Sununu explained.

The minister emphasised that beneficiaries must meet specific criteria, verified through multiple agencies, including the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the World Bank.

Digital Disbursement for Transparency

Sununu stressed that the disbursement process is fully digital to ensure transparency, accountability, and traceability of funds.

“It was after it’s been satisfied, and all those data are really traceable, and they’re transparent and accountable, that NCTO — the National Conditional Cash Transfer Officer — will now be directed to transfer the money directly to the account of the beneficiaries,” he said.

By transferring funds directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, the ministry aims to eliminate middlemen and reduce the risk of corruption or mismanagement.

Challenges with the Initial Phase

Addressing concerns about lapses in previous cash transfer programmes, Sununu acknowledged that the initial phase encountered difficulties — primarily due to the absence of digital identities for many intended beneficiaries.

“Initially, when it was given, the first tranche was given, a lot of those people do not have digital identity, and therefore it becomes very difficult to justify who and who has collected money,” he said.

This challenge, he noted, slowed the process and made verification harder, but the ministry has since improved its data systems to ensure all recipients are properly identified and documented.

Collaboration with Stakeholders

Sununu explained that the programme’s design and execution rely heavily on collaboration with both national and international partners. Agencies like NASSCO handle data collation and verification, while NIMC provides identity confirmation. The World Bank supports the programme by providing technical guidance and helping to maintain international standards in targeting and accountability.

This multi-agency approach, he said, strengthens oversight and ensures that public resources are reaching the right people.

Expanding Coverage to More Vulnerable Groups

The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to expanding the programme to reach more vulnerable populations.

He said improved data collection and technology integration will enable the ministry to identify, verify, and assist more households in need, particularly those in remote or underserved areas.

“The ministry is committed to effectively reaching more vulnerable populations with improved data systems and increased oversight,” Sununu said, noting that future phases would be faster and more accurate in reaching beneficiaries.

Why the CCT Programme Matters

The Conditional Cash Transfer programme is one of the Federal Government’s key poverty reduction strategies. It provides financial assistance to poor households, often tied to specific conditions such as enrolling children in school, attending health check-ups, or participating in skills training.

By placing funds directly in the hands of the poor, the government aims to provide immediate relief while encouraging positive long-term behaviours that can help break the cycle of poverty.

In the face of rising living costs and economic challenges, cash transfers are also seen as a way to stimulate local economies, as beneficiaries typically spend the money in their communities, supporting small businesses and local markets.

Transparency and Public Trust

While large-scale cash transfer programmes have often been met with public scepticism in the past, Sununu maintained that the current administration is prioritising accountability.

He highlighted the traceability of all disbursements and the use of technology as key safeguards against diversion of funds.

The minister urged Nigerians to trust the process, assuring that the government is focused on reaching the most vulnerable without political interference.

With over ₦421 billion already disbursed, the programme represents one of the largest direct social interventions in Nigeria’s recent history.

Sununu’s assurances of expanded coverage, better data systems, and improved transparency suggest that the government intends to deepen the impact of the CCT in the coming months and years.

However, for the programme to achieve its full potential, continued public oversight, timely disbursements, and effective monitoring will be essential.

As Sununu put it, “The goal is simple — to ensure that every naira reaches the people it is meant for, and to do so in a way that uplifts families and communities across Nigeria.”