…Nigerians Express Mixed Reactions Over Disbursement Process
The National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) has announced that over 68 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians have been captured in the National Social Register (NSR).
NASSCO disclosed this on Tuesday via its verified Instagram handle, @nassco_nigeria, stating that the figure represents 19 million vulnerable households across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The NSR serves as a comprehensive database to help the government design, coordinate, and integrate social safety-net programmes, including the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme.
In her mission statement, the National Coordinator of NASSCO, Funmi Olotu, said the register ensures that social protection initiatives are “targeted, impactful, and evidence-based.”
“Our goal is not just to help, but to create a lasting platform that empowers families and communities to overcome the daily challenges they face. We are committed to transparency,” she stated.
However, some Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions regarding the disbursement of the CCT funds to beneficiaries.
Dantala Ahmed, a former enrollee of the defunct N-Power Programme in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, criticised the current process, stating that the N25,000 payments lacked transparency.
“In 2019, we were given physical cash because the coordinators came down to Gwagwalada, and we were asked to queue up. Once your name appears in the register, you will be called to collect the money,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“But now, we are living in the dark. We don’t know what is going on; sometimes we just see adverts on social media that the federal government will resume payment of ₦25,000 CCT.”
On the other hand, Mohammed Awwal, a beneficiary from Kpako Ward in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, commended the new system, saying the process was now digitalised and transparent.
“As a beneficiary of the ₦25,000 CCT, I can attest to the fact that the process is transparent because the coordinators came to our ward, registered us with our NIN, and gave us ATM cards,” he said.
“As I am talking to you now, I received ₦25,000 in January this year, and they said the total money is N75,000, which will be paid in three tranches.
“So, I think what the government wants to do is to digitalise the system and avoid the process of giving people physical cash to ensure accountability.”
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