ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government had disbursed ₦658.9 billion in direct Nigeria cash transfers to 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households by September 2026, according to the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update.
The report said the programme uses biometric and digital verification to identify beneficiaries and deliver payments. It added that the programme’s impact will depend on wider coverage, more adequate transfers and regular payments.
World Bank calls for sustainable social protection
The World Bank said cash transfers and other social protection measures can cushion households against economic pressure, but only if they reach more people and provide consistent support.
- It called for improvements in the coverage, adequacy and consistency of cash transfers.
- It recommended dedicated budget lines for social protection at federal and state levels.
- It advocated a gradual increase in government funding to support a more sustainable system.
- It said a shared vision for social protection would help move the country beyond emergency responses.
The recommendations point to the need for cash assistance to be reliable support for vulnerable households, not a short-term intervention.
Coverage gaps in Nigeria’s social protection system
Kanyi Daily reports that the update follows concerns about the reach and effectiveness of social intervention programmes. The Federal Government committed hundreds of billions of naira to such programmes in 2025, yet millions of vulnerable households remained unreached.
In a separate report, the World Bank found that although 56% of social protection beneficiaries were poor, only 44% of total benefits reached poor households. That points to gaps in how resources are distributed and the need for better targeting.
The latest update also highlighted wider human development challenges that continue to affect household welfare:
- Under-five mortality declined from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2024.
- Antenatal and postnatal care coverage improved over the same period, though neonatal mortality remains a concern.
- Only about a quarter of children show age-appropriate literacy, and around two-fifths show age-appropriate numeracy.
- Access to electricity, including off-grid connections, has improved, but further expansion is needed to support broader welfare gains.
The report said limited productive opportunities, gaps in school readiness and weak learning outcomes remain challenges that could affect the pace of poverty reduction.
Growth target and household welfare
Nigeria is targeting economic growth of 7% in 2027, above the International Monetary Fund’s projection of 4.3%, as the government seeks to speed up reforms and lower inflation to support business activity.
The target comes as the government faces the challenge of improving living standards while expanding social protection for poor and vulnerable households.
The World Bank’s findings suggest cash transfers are only one part of a broader effort to improve welfare. Sustained progress will also depend on stronger education and health outcomes, wider access to essential services and a social protection system backed by reliable public funding.
