The Federal Government has disbursed over ₦421 billion directly to Nigerians under its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, according to the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Sununu.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Thursday, Sununu said the programme has recorded significant progress despite earlier doubts about its effectiveness.
“As of today, over ₦421 billion has been transferred as a conditional cash transfer to Nigerians,” he said, defending the government’s intervention efforts targeting vulnerable groups.
He explained that eligibility for the funds is determined through the National Social Register, which currently contains over 18.9 million households. A separate Rapid Response Register is also used to identify the most vulnerable.
Sununu said beneficiaries are verified using data from multiple agencies, including NASCO, NIMC, and the World Bank, with disbursements made digitally to ensure transparency and traceability.
“All those data are really traceable, and they’re transparent and accountable,” he added.
He acknowledged earlier challenges in disbursing funds, attributing them to the absence of digital identities among many beneficiaries during the initial phase of the programme.
With enhanced oversight and improved digital infrastructure, Sununu assured that the ministry is better positioned to reach more Nigerians in need.
We’re waiting for the help of the house