The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that about 15 million vulnerable households have been enrolled in its Benefit Register for conditional cash assistance aimed at cushioning the effects of economic hardship across the country.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, revealed this while speaking during a television interview, explaining that the programme is being implemented in partnership with the World Bank as part of broader efforts to provide targeted economic relief.
According to the minister, the conditional cash assistance programme is designed as a shock-response intervention to support households facing severe economic challenges. He clarified that the assistance is not intended for all individuals listed in the National Social Register but is specifically targeted at the most vulnerable households captured in a separate Benefit Register.
Doro explained that while the National Social Register currently contains approximately 17.9 million vulnerable households nationwide, only about 15 million of these households have been included in the Benefit Register for direct financial support under the ongoing intervention.
He further disclosed that the National Social Register represents an estimated 70 million vulnerable Nigerians identified through extensive community-based assessments and socio-economic data collection. The register serves as a national database used by the government to identify and target individuals and households for various social protection programmes.
The minister noted that the conditional cash transfer programme is intended to provide temporary financial relief to vulnerable households affected by rising living costs, economic instability, and other socio-economic pressures. He emphasized that the initiative is not a universal cash distribution programme but a targeted intervention designed to assist those most in need.
Doro also highlighted the rigorous process involved in identifying vulnerable households. He explained that local communities play a critical role in the identification process, as residents help to determine individuals and families experiencing extreme poverty or hardship. This community-based targeting approach is supported by field verification exercises, during which officials assess living conditions and collect relevant socio-economic information to ensure accuracy and transparency.
He stressed that inclusion in the National Social Register does not automatically qualify a household for financial assistance. Instead, beneficiaries are selected based on the specific objectives and criteria of each intervention programme, with priority given to those facing the most severe economic conditions.
The minister added that the government remains committed to expanding the National Social Register to capture more vulnerable Nigerians and improve the effectiveness of social protection initiatives. He noted that the database plays a crucial role in guiding policy decisions and ensuring that government support reaches those who need it most.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening poverty reduction efforts through targeted interventions, partnerships with development organisations, and improved data systems. According to him, the conditional cash assistance programme represents one of several measures being implemented to mitigate the impact of economic shocks and support vulnerable populations across the country.
The Federal Government also emphasized its long-term goal of building a comprehensive and reliable social protection system that can respond effectively to future economic challenges while promoting inclusive growth and reducing poverty nationwide.
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