Only 36% of Targeted Households Reach Fed’s Cash Transfer — PwC Report

A recent mid-year performance assessment by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has revealed that only about 36 percent of Nigeria’s targeted 15 million households have benefitted from the federal government’s conditional cash transfer programme. This scheme, launched as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, was designed to cushion the impact of economic reforms such as subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberalisation. However, the latest findings highlight deep implementation gaps and structural bottlenecks that have slowed its full rollout.

According to PwC’s report, just 5.6 million households received at least one payment between the programme’s commencement and mid-2025. Out of this number, only 2.4 million households have collected a second tranche, while fewer than 1.3 million have received a third disbursement following biometric verification. The figures underscore the enormous gap between the programme’s ambition and its actual impact so far.

The federal government had promised to distribute cash transfers to 15 million of the poorest households in the country as a palliative measure following the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023. The plan, supported by the World Bank and other development partners, sought to deliver N25,000 monthly to each eligible household for an initial period of three months, later extended due to persistent economic pressures. Yet, as PwC’s data indicates, a majority of the targeted population remains unreached.

Experts attribute the low coverage to several factors. A key hurdle has been the heavy reliance on biometric verification tied to National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) requirements. Many vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, lack access to these identity systems, resulting in delays in beneficiary registration. The absence of a comprehensive and up-to-date social register has also complicated efforts to accurately identify and reach the intended beneficiaries.

World Bank monitoring reports corroborate PwC’s findings, showing that around 5.6 million households—representing roughly 37 percent of the target—had received at least one tranche of cash transfers by mid-2025. The report noted that while the programme’s design is sound, its delivery has been hampered by logistical inefficiencies, including inadequate digital infrastructure, identity verification bottlenecks, and insufficient awareness campaigns.

In response, the federal government has initiated measures to accelerate the disbursement process. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stepped up NIN enrollment drives across the country, particularly in rural areas, to fast-track verification. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has also announced plans to expand the National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) database by integrating additional data from states and local governments to improve coverage.

Despite these efforts, civil society groups and human rights organisations have expressed skepticism about the transparency and accountability of the programme. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) recently called for the federal government to publicly disclose beneficiary data and the methodology used in selecting recipients. The group argued that claims of widespread disbursement should be backed by verifiable evidence to ensure fairness and credibility.

An independent poll conducted by HURIWA, involving over 50,000 respondents nationwide, reportedly found that none had received or knew anyone who had benefitted from the cash transfer scheme. This has fueled public doubts about the actual reach and effectiveness of the programme. Critics say the lack of transparency not only undermines trust but also risks exacerbating social tensions among already struggling communities.

Economists warn that the limited success of the cash transfer programme could weaken its intended impact of providing immediate relief to vulnerable households and stimulating local economies. With inflation currently at multi-decade highs and food prices surging, many Nigerians are experiencing worsening living conditions. Without swift and transparent improvements to social protection delivery systems, analysts caution that the programme risks falling short of its core objectives.

Development experts stress the importance of building inclusive digital identification systems and reliable social registers as long-term solutions. They argue that successful social protection requires accurate targeting, seamless payment mechanisms, and robust accountability frameworks. In this regard, the government’s ongoing collaboration with the World Bank and other partners is seen as crucial to closing existing gaps.

For millions of Nigerians still waiting to benefit, the cash transfer programme represents more than just financial aid—it is a lifeline amid an unrelenting cost-of-living crisis. However, unless the structural bottlenecks identified by PwC and the World Bank are addressed quickly, the majority of vulnerable households will remain excluded from the scheme, undermining the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The PwC report has reignited calls for urgent reforms to improve social welfare programmes and ensure equitable distribution of benefits. As the federal government works to expand coverage and improve efficiency, stakeholders insist that transparency, accountability, and inclusive access must remain at the core of the cash transfer strategy. The coming months will determine whether the programme can scale up effectively and meet its ambitious targets, or continue to fall short of its promises.