Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has announced the Federal Government’s ambitious plan to extend its social safety net program to cover 15 million households in Nigeria.
The Minister stated this during an official visit to Maiduguri.
Edu emphasised that the initiative was not merely a giveaway programme but a strategic effort to empower individuals and families.
According to her: “We’ll initiate an expanded and upscaled social safety net program designed to reach at least 15 million households in Nigeria. These funds are not handouts; they are aimed at jumpstarting businesses and helping individuals regain their footing. It’s not business as usual; there will be conditions attached, and individuals will be held accountable for their use of government funds.”
She emphasised the importance of accountability in government disbursements, stating, “Any money provided by the government must have criteria attached to it, and recipients will be held responsible for how they utilize government funds.”
Edu announced plans to collaborate with the Borno State government to expand the social register to include more beneficiaries.
She acknowledged the existing social register, which contains 15.7 million households and 62 million individuals, as insufficient given the widespread need for humanitarian assistance.
She explained that the social register would undergo continuous updates through immediate verification of its beneficiaries to ensure that only deserving individuals remain on the list.
She stressed the dynamic nature of the register, with people joining and leaving, and the importance of adhering to clear criteria for inclusion.
