HoPE-CT Initiative Provides Relief to 9m Nigerians Amid Rising Living Costs

HoPE-CT Initiative Provides Relief to 9m Nigerians Amid Rising Living Costs

The Federal Government has announced that over nine million Nigerians have benefited from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) Programme, a key social protection initiative aimed at cushioning vulnerable households from the impact of rising living costs.

At a ministerial briefing and press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Benard Doro, highlighted the programme’s significant reach since its rollout in December 2023.

He revealed that 9,178,837 beneficiaries have received the first tranche, 7,203,579 received the second tranche, and 6,497,089 received the third tranche, noting that these figures represent millions of households whose resilience and dignity are being restored.

“Each eligible household receives a total of ₦75,000 in three instalments, enabling families to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education,” Doro said.

The minister explained that the initiative is implemented under the National Social Safety Nets Project–Scale Up (NASSP-SU), marking a deliberate move from fragmented humanitarian responses to a structured, transparent social protection system.

“We are no longer responding to poverty episodically. We are building systems to end it sustainably,” he said, adding that beneficiaries are verified using the National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to ensure transparency and prevent duplication.

Doro also emphasized the programme’s gender inclusiveness, revealing that 58.7 per cent of beneficiaries are women, while men account for 41.3 per cent.

He further warned Nigerians against paying any money to access the scheme, declaring: “This programme is completely free. No Nigerian should pay any fee to be registered, enrolled, or benefit. Anyone demanding payment is engaging in criminal activity.”

To enhance accountability, the minister noted that a multi-level grievance redress system has been established, including a toll-free line for complaints and inquiries.

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted how the use of digital identity has strengthened efficiency and transparency in the programme.

She disclosed that over 13.2 million records were submitted for verification, of which 11.8 million have been authenticated. Another 3.1 million records are being processed to further expand coverage.

“Through NIN-based verification, we are eliminating duplication, reducing leakages, and ensuring that only genuine beneficiaries receive support, thereby strengthening public trust in government interventions,” she said.

Earlier, the National Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, said the initiative is supported by an $800 million facility from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and initially targeted 10.4 million households, with over 9.2 million already receiving at least one tranche.

He added that the Federal Government has expanded the programme’s reach to 15 million households nationwide, underlining its commitment to deepening social protection and inclusive growth.

“The HoPE-CT Programme is about people—families who need support to stay afloat in difficult times and have a fair chance to build better lives,” Imam said.

The programme, which is being implemented across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, forms a core part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at reducing poverty and promoting equitable economic development.