To gain public trust, Nigeria’s cash transfer initiative requires a detailed audit trail, not just stricter oversight. The program has utilized $744.61 million of the $800 million allocated by the World Bank‘s National Social Safety Net Programme-Scale Up facility, accounting for 93.1 percent of the total funds approved.
With the recent disbursement of $208.29 million in the first half of 2026, the program is nearing the depletion of its credit limit. However, the disbursed amount does not indicate how much has actually reached the intended households or whether it has improved their living conditions.
Programme Credibility
In December 2021, the World Bank approved the facility to expand support for impoverished and vulnerable Nigerians and to strengthen the country’s social safety net. Past controversies surrounding social investment programs have undermined trust in the management of funds meant for those in need.
According to reports, previous social investment initiatives faced controversies, including allegations of financial wrongdoing involving officials and transactions tied to the former Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. These issues eroded confidence in the management of resources intended for vulnerable populations.
The government must provide a transparent account of each step, from identifying vulnerable households and approving payments to confirming receipt, addressing complaints, and reporting outcomes. While requiring beneficiaries to provide verified Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and National Identification Numbers (NINs) is a reasonable measure, it does not fully determine eligibility.
Eligibility and Transparency
A valid identity does not confirm a household’s poverty, and incomplete or inaccurate records do not necessarily disqualify individuals from receiving aid. The system must verify both identity and eligibility without creating documentation barriers that exclude those the program aims to assist.
The government should publish clear eligibility criteria, establish accessible procedures for record correction, and provide an effective complaints mechanism for wrongfully excluded applicants or failed payments. Independent spot checks should compare beneficiary records with actual receipt evidence, while privacy safeguards should protect sensitive personal information from unnecessary exposure.
In March 2026, the humanitarian affairs minister stated that 9.2 million Nigerians had benefited from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme, with approximately ₦688 billion disbursed over two years. However, this figure requires context: How many households were targeted? How many received their full entitlement? How many payments were delayed or failed? And how many complaints remain unresolved?
The program also has fiscal implications that should not be overlooked. The World Bank facility is credit-based, not a grant without repayment obligations. While drawing down the available funds may provide short-term relief, it does not establish a permanent income source for vulnerable families.
Nigeria must integrate social protection into a broader strategy to enhance household resilience, rather than viewing it as a replacement for economic reform or job creation. The immediate focus should be on ensuring accountability for the funds already allocated. The Federal Government should publish regular, reconciled reports detailing funds received, administrative costs, authorized payments, confirmed payments, failed transactions, and unresolved complaints.
These reports should undergo independent audits, with public access to summaries and disclosure of corrective actions for any discrepancies. The remaining $55.39 million under the facility should be managed with the same rigor, emphasizing improved delivery and reliable reporting.
Legislators and oversight bodies should thoroughly examine the findings, while community-level monitoring can help identify exclusion and payment issues that central databases might overlook. The Federal Government should ensure these reports are detailed and include specific information on the program’s impact on vulnerable households.
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