National Safety Net Initiative Scales Up to Support Low-Income Households

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive governance by scaling up its national social protection efforts, providing structured relief to millions of vulnerable households across the country.

At a joint press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and the National Coordinator of the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Ms. Funmi Olotu, detailed the progress of ongoing support initiatives aimed at shielding the most at-risk citizens from economic pressures.

The initiative, reinvigorated under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, follows the establishment of a Special Presidential Panel on Social Investment Programmes. Its goal is to enhance the integrity, transparency, and long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s social safety net architecture.

“This is about restoring dignity and building resilience in our communities,” Edun said. “We now have a system that guarantees digital transparency and ensures funds reach verified beneficiaries directly.”

Central to this reform is the use of biometric identification through the National Identification Number (NIN), coupled with digital payment platforms, which eliminate intermediaries and strengthen accountability.

So far, over 8 million households have received support through the revamped initiative. With integration and validation still ongoing, the target is to reach 15 million households by year’s end, building on a national register that currently covers over 70 million Nigerians.

Ms. Olotu emphasized that the database is built on global standards, devoid of political bias, and supported by international partners including the World Bank.

She stated, This is not just an emergency response. We are laying the foundation for a reliable, scalable system that can protect Nigerians during future economic shocks.

Officials stressed that the reforms go beyond temporary relief, they represent a step forward in building an inclusive, digitized welfare infrastructure that ensures no vulnerable citizen is left behind.