Merely 0.1% of the intended impoverished and vulnerable households have thus far received the Federal Government’s newly introduced monthly cash transfer of N25,000.
The World Bank’s Lead Economist for Nigeria, Alex Sienaert, revealed this data during the presentation of the Nigeria Development Update in December 2023.
The government aims to provide N25,000 per month for three months to low-income households, with 1.5 million households currently benefiting.
Sienaert anticipates reaching five million households by the end of December, implying that only 0.1% of the targeted 15 million households have received payments.
Despite the country’s severe challenges, 99.9% of the intended recipients are still awaiting their monthly cash transfers.
Challenges in disbursement may be attributed to a low number of poor and vulnerable individuals possessing National Identity Numbers (NIN), a prerequisite for receiving the cash transfer.
The target was a 20% registration in the National Social Registry with a valid NIN by June 30, 2022.
However, by December 31, 2022, only 0.10% of the impoverished and vulnerable Nigerians on the registry had obtained NIN, resulting in approximately 9,670 beneficiaries out of the total 9,666,420 having NIN.
Emphasizing the pivotal role of NIN, the World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria highlighted that the State Social Registers are undergoing a rigorous verification process, collaborating with federal and state entities.
During this process, beneficiaries will be assisted in enrolling for NIN to broaden coverage and utilization of the national identity number.
