Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has put smiles on the faces of over 3 million Nigerians through the National Cash Transfer Office.
The Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme was introduced in October 17, 2023 to sustain the social inclusion agenda of President Bola Tinubu. It is targeted at uplifting poor and vulnerable Nigerians, as well as an immediate intervention to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and other economic shocks.
The Minister had hitherto stated that: “61 million Nigerians stand to benefit from the scheme every month in October, November and December; 15 million households will be receiving 75,000 Naira over three months”.
According to the Minister, about 3.5 million Nigerians have so far been positively affected by the conditional cash transfer scheme since it was launched by Mr President, adding this clearly demonstrates the government’s commitment to improve the lots of Nigerians.
“Of course, we are out on the field and covering another 4.5 million in the next one week so we will have altogether close to about 8 million people between now and the end of the year,”
Dr. Edu added that beyond the cash transfers, the FG will provide “low-cost shelter for the poor and internally displaced persons as a form of providing that cover for them.
Some of the beneficiaries, who broke into celebrations for receiving the N25, 000 offered by Federal Government under the conditional cash transfer scheme, commended the President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu for making this a reality.
“In fact, I’m very happy to see such a huge amount of amount of money unexpectedly in my bank account because I did not expect it. I use it to support my business”, said Mrs. Ifeoma Adah, a trader in Abuja.
For Mr. Abdullahi Sule, he said: “I did not believe it, I received it in the night and it really helped me and my family. So I thank the Federal Government for this palliative”.
Alhaji Yusuf Baba, a leader of one the communities in the Federal Capital Territory revealed that beneficiaries in his community are using the money from the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme to support their businesses. He however expressed joy over the impact of the initiative.