The Federal Government has disbursed ₦658.9 billion in direct cash transfers to 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households as of September 2026, according to the World Bank, which has called for improvements to ensure the programme delivers sustained relief to Nigerians facing economic hardship.
The bank urged the government to expand the programme, increase the adequacy of payments and ensure that beneficiaries receive assistance consistently. It also stressed the need to establish a sustainable social protection system rather than relying mainly on emergency interventions.
The recommendations were contained in the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update, titled Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Shaped State Priorities, which examined economic conditions and the role of government support in protecting households from financial pressures.
According to the report, the Federal Government used biometric and digital verification systems to identify eligible beneficiaries and deliver payments under its direct cash transfer programme.
The World Bank acknowledged that the disbursement had reached millions of vulnerable households but warned that the programme’s overall impact would depend on how many people it covered, the value of the assistance and the regularity of payments.
“Social protection and service delivery can help cushion households against these pressures, though their effectiveness will continue to depend on coverage, adequacy, and continuity,” the report stated.
The bank called for faster implementation and improvements in the reach, value and consistency of the transfers to ensure that the support provides more meaningful relief to households struggling with economic challenges.
“The Federal Government reported disbursing N658.9 billion in direct cash transfers by September 2026, reaching 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households, using biometric and digital verification for beneficiary identification and payment delivery,” the report stated.
It further emphasised that expanding coverage and improving the consistency of payments would strengthen the programme’s contribution to household welfare.
“These efforts need to be accelerated and deepened, with continued progress on coverage, adequacy, and consistency of transfers necessary to broaden and strengthen their contribution to household welfare,” it added.
World Bank Calls for Sustainable Social Protection Funding
Beyond the existing cash transfer programme, the World Bank urged the Federal Government and state governments to develop a long-term funding framework for social protection.
The bank said sustainable financing would be necessary to maintain support for poor and vulnerable households and ensure that assistance continues beyond temporary emergency measures.
“Building on this progress, the next step is to move from an emergency response toward a regular, sustainable social protection system, with dedicated budget lines at the federal and state levels, gradually increasing financing from government resources, and a shared overarching vision,” the report stated.
The recommendation highlights the responsibility of state governments to complement federal initiatives through their own budgetary commitments instead of leaving most of the financial burden on the Federal Government.
According to the report, dedicated budget allocations at both levels of government would make cash transfers more predictable and reduce reliance on temporary interventions.
A coordinated national framework could also improve the delivery and monitoring of social assistance, helping ensure that vulnerable Nigerians receive consistent support.
The World Bank therefore called for a shift towards a more reliable social protection system backed by government funding and coordinated action between federal and state authorities.
