The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has announced that the Federal Government’s humanitarian assistance initiatives, such as Farmer Money, Trader Money, and Conditional Cash Transfer, have positively impacted 3.5 million Nigerians.

She made this statement during the commencement of payment of N20,000 to vulnerable groups in Cross River State as part of poverty reduction measures.

Edu emphasized the broad reach of the government’s initiatives, stating, “The Federal Government has many initiatives such as the Farmer Money, Trader Money, Conditional Cash Transfer in which 3.5 million Nigerians have benefitted across the board.”

She highlighted upcoming programs like the End Hunger Programme and the Skill Acquisition Programme, urging full cooperation from state governments.

She called on subnational governments to actively support and ensure the success of these programs, stating, “All I ask for at the state level is for the state to key fully to the centre.”

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River state, speaking at the event, expressed the state government’s commitment to sectors like agriculture, security, and tourism to create jobs and reduce unemployment.

He commended the initiative, foreseeing its positive impact on reducing poverty among vulnerable populations.

Otu stressed the need for collective support to achieve the goal of lifting 50 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.

He conveyed his administration’s willingness to endorse and collaborate with the initiative, as well as engage in partnerships with other Federal Government programs aimed at poverty reduction.

Highlighting the timely nature of the initiative, Governor Otu acknowledged that some individuals had already begun receiving payment alerts.

He said, “With the way the government speaks to the economics of the nation, it means the nation’s future is secured.”

However, the Minister’s claim of 3.5 million beneficiaries contradicts a recent report from the World Bank, which stated that less than 1% of poor and vulnerable households have benefitted from the Federal government’s cash transfer program.

The World Bank report also highlighted that 99.9% of the target poor households for the FG’s cash transfer lack a National Identification Number.

In October, the Federal Government officially launched the conditional cash transfer program, aiming to provide N25,000 for three months to 15 million Nigerian households.

Additionally, plans have been announced to provide N50,000 as non-interest loans to 1.5 million market women under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program, dubbed the Iyaloya Funds by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.