Juliet Jacob 
Minister, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government says its cash transfer programme has now reached 5.5 million Nigerian households, marking what officials describe as one of the country’s most significant steps in its drive to reduce poverty and strengthen social protection.
Speaking at the inaugural National Steering Committee meeting of the Act Naija project in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, said the expansion demonstrates the administration’s resolve to protect vulnerable families from economic shocks.
“Our focus is not just to provide temporary relief,” Doro said. “We are building a system that ensures vulnerable Nigerians can withstand economic shocks and gradually move out of poverty.”
The minister said the programme is undergoing modernisation to improve transparency, data accuracy and delivery systems, ensuring assistance reaches the right beneficiaries at the right time.
He added that the government is collaborating with development partners to scale accountability frameworks and strengthen community-targeting mechanisms. According to Doro, the initiative is part of a broader national strategy that includes livelihood support, youth employment schemes and resilience-building projects.
Officials say the expansion of cash transfers is crucial at a time when many households struggle with food inflation, rising transportation costs and fluctuating incomes. The ministry is also reviewing digital-payment processes to reduce fraud and enhance monitoring.
Doro stressed that the government remains committed to ensuring social protection becomes a permanent structural pillar rather than an emergency response mechanism.
“We are building a resilient social protection system that serves Nigerians today and into the future,” he said.
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Otamere Gladness 
Hussaini Ibrahim 
Oluwatobi Adu