FG pays N600bn to 10m+ households, launches N40k HOPE-SP for 7.6m vulnerable families
The Federal Government has disbursed over N600 billion in cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians in the past three years, reaching slightly over 10 million households. Minister Bernard Doro disclosed this during a Channels Television interview on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while announcing the new $1 billion HOPE-SP social protection programme.
The HOPE-SP (Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project) will provide a one-off N40,000 digital transfer to approximately 7.6 million vulnerable households nationwide. Beneficiaries must be registered on the National Social Register and validated with a National Identification Number (NIN), with the government working with NIMC to ease NIN registration.
Minister Doro described the programme as a shift from mere cash distribution to tracking household progress toward economic self-reliance. He defended economic reforms, stating petrol subsidy removal contributed to greater stability and that poverty reduction takes time - comparing it to China's 40-year journey.
Concerns have been raised about corruption, political interference and weak implementation potentially undermining the programme's impact, with calls for stronger safeguards to ensure support reaches intended beneficiaries.
Will you check your eligibility for the HOPE-SP programme through the National Social Register, ensure your NIN is up-to-date, or monitor implementation reports to verify if support reaches your community?