- The minister explained that although the Programme is for an immediate cushioning of the economic shock that these households are experiencing as a result of fuel subsidy removal, it will contribute to lifting 61 million households from poverty
On Friday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, discussed the Federal Government’s initiative aimed at lifting 50 million people out of poverty in Nigeria, as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had previously announced that Ministers would sign a Performance Agreement with him following the three-day cabinet retreat for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, and top government officials.
Addressing State House correspondents during the three-day retreat at the State House Conference Center in Abuja, Edu mentioned that one component of this effort includes the ongoing distribution of N25,000 to impoverished households in Nigeria through the conditional cash transfer program, totaling N75,000 over the next three months.
The minister explained that although the Programme is for an immediate cushioning of the economic shock that these households are experiencing as a result of fuel subsidy removal, it will contribute to lifting 61 million households from poverty.
According to her, the process is being carried out rigorously to ensure that the right people get the money.
She said the government is identifying the beneficiaries, verifying their identities through their NINs and BVNs, and ensuring that they are paid.
The Minister emphasised that the government does not want to rush into paying people and then realise that they don’t even exist.
Asked the specifics that will ensure 50 million Nigerians are removed from poverty, Edu said: “So we have a couple of things that have been listed out. First and foremost, as you know, there is an ongoing payment of N25,000 to poor households in Nigeria, and this is going to happen for three months, amounting to N75,000.