The Federal Government’s National Social Safety Net Programme-Scale Up has seen significant growth, with the number of beneficiaries rising to 32.21 million as of January 2025. This program, designed to provide financial relief to low-income households, continues to expand despite challenges and initial delays in its implementation.
A World Bank Implementation Status and Results Report, obtained by Saturday PUNCH, highlights the continued growth of the program. The report notes that the number of beneficiaries increased from 30.35 million in June 2024 to 32.21 million by January 2025. A significant proportion of the recipients are women, with female beneficiaries currently numbering 28.55 million.
The report also emphasizes the positive impact of the Economic Shock Responsive Cash Transfer component, which has reached 5.39 million households. This part of the program aims to provide targeted assistance to those affected by economic shocks, including inflation and rising costs of living. Additionally, 1.51 million households have benefited from the Extended Regular Cash Transfer.
The total number of households receiving support under the program now exceeds five million, according to the World Bank’s findings. “The direct benefit transfer program to date has supported over five million households,” the report stated. The program has focused on helping the most vulnerable, ensuring they have access to the financial resources they need to weather difficult economic conditions.
In December 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a circular mandating the use of National Identification Numbers (NIN) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) for account operations after March 2024. Following this directive, all cash transfers are now made only to beneficiaries whose NIN or BVN has been verified, a move intended to improve transparency and reduce fraud.
The World Bank report also revealed that about 1.4 million households, out of the total five million, have already received a second and third tranche of support. This step reflects the program’s ongoing commitment to providing consistent financial relief to those in need.
Efforts to improve the security and transparency of payments have also led to the introduction of stricter verification measures. The inclusion of NIN and BVN verification aims to streamline the process, reduce duplication, and ensure that funds are reaching the intended recipients.
