The Federal Government of Nigeria has identified about 15 million vulnerable households for conditional cash assistance under a programme implemented in partnership with the World Bank, aimed at cushioning economic shocks.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.
He clarified that not all households listed in the National Social Register automatically qualify for direct financial support. “We are currently offering conditional cash assistance in conjunction with the World Bank, but this money is actually meant as a shock response. And so not everyone within the 17.9 million households in the register is in the Benefit Register. The Benefit Register is around 15 million vulnerable households,” Doro explained.
National Social Register vs. Benefit Register
The National Social Register currently contains approximately 17.9 million vulnerable households, representing around 70 million individuals identified through community-based assessments and socio-economic data. Doro emphasized that beneficiaries for specific interventions are selected separately through the Benefit Register, which targets households most affected by economic hardship.
“The register focuses on identifying the poorest of the poor through community engagement and socio-economic assessments,” he said. “Communities guide us in identifying who qualifies. We also validate this by visiting homes, reviewing living conditions, and confirming personal data to ensure assistance reaches the right people.”
Doro stressed that inclusion in the National Social Register does not automatically guarantee direct financial support. “Our desire is to ensure every Nigerian is captured in the National Social Register. However, when programmes are planned, individuals are targeted based on the nature of the specific programme being delivered,” he added.
The minister further assured that the Federal Government would continue to expand the National Social Register while ensuring that cash assistance and other interventions reach those most affected by economic shocks and vulnerabilities.
