The Federal Government has disbursed ₦658.9 billion in direct cash transfers to 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households as of September 2026, according to the World Bank.
However, the global financial institution has urged the government to expand the programme, increase the adequacy of payments and ensure beneficiaries receive the money more consistently.
The recommendations were contained in the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update, titled Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Shaped State Priorities.
According to the report, the Federal Government used biometric and digital verification systems to identify beneficiaries and facilitate payments under its cash transfer scheme.
The bank acknowledged the scale of the reported disbursement but stressed that the programme’s success should not be measured by the amount spent alone. Its impact would also depend on the number of households reached, whether the financial assistance was sufficient to meet their needs and how reliably payments were made.
It called for faster implementation and wider coverage to ensure that more Nigerians experiencing economic hardship benefit from the initiative.
World Bank wants sustainable funding
Beyond expanding the cash transfer scheme, the World Bank urged the Federal Government and state governments to establish a sustainable social protection system backed by dedicated budget allocations.
The bank said Nigeria should gradually move away from relying mainly on emergency interventions towards a more predictable system that provides regular support to vulnerable households.
It also called for stronger coordination between federal and state authorities, alongside increased government funding, to ensure that assistance continues over the long term.
The recommendation places additional responsibility on state governments to commit resources to social welfare programmes rather than leaving much of the burden to the Federal Government.
The World Bank maintained that consistent financial support, improved beneficiary coverage and adequate payments would help strengthen household welfare and ensure that public spending delivers more meaningful relief to Nigerians facing economic pressures.
