The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, has disclosed that the federal government has disbursed N9.9 billion to 396,671 households in Ondo State under its Household Prosperity and Cash Transfer Programme, in a bid to cushion the effects of economic hardship on vulnerable citizens.
Doro , who revealed this during a validation and review exercise of the programme in the state, explained that the intervention, implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reached over nine million households across the country, with each beneficiary receiving N75,000 in three tranches.
He said Ondo State remains one of the key beneficiaries of the initiative, noting that the figure of 396,671 households captured covers recipients across the first, second and third payment cycles.
According to the minister, the ongoing validation exercise is aimed at confirming the credibility of the payment process, ensuring that funds reach the intended beneficiaries, and strengthening accountability in the implementation of the programme.
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"The federal government has disbursed about N9.9 billion to 396,671 households in Ondo State under the cash transfer programme," Doro said.
He stressed that the scheme targets the poorest and most vulnerable households, adding that continuous verification and direct engagement with beneficiaries would enhance transparency and efficiency.
Doro, however, expressed concern over low awareness of the programme despite its wide coverage, calling for improved communication strategies to enable more eligible Nigerians to benefit from the intervention.
The minister further disclosed that the federal government is working on a redesigned social intervention framework that prioritises grassroots engagement, accurate data capture, and real-time monitoring to improve targeting and delivery.
In his remarks, Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended the federal government for the initiative, describing it as a critical support mechanism for vulnerable households amid current economic challenges.
Aiyedatiwa noted that the programme has helped cushion hardship at the grassroots level and emphasised the need for sustained collaboration between federal and state authorities for effective implementation.
He called for stronger synergy across all tiers of government, stressing that coordination with local structures would enhance transparency and expand beneficiary reach.
The governor also assured that the state government would continue to support verification processes and strengthen data management systems to ensure that only eligible citizens benefit from the programme.
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