The Federal government has clarified that only one million Nigerian families listed on the National Social Register (NSR) will receive the N20,000 palliative to mitigate the economic impact of the lockdown in certain states.
In an interview with Guardian, Lonwa Apera, the National Coordinator of the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), highlighted that the National Transfer cash Office (NCTO) has collaborated with various state governors over the years to develop the NSR of poor and vulnerable people in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) apart from Ogun State. It was emphasized that the cash transfer program, initiated by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, targets existing beneficiaries of the program rather than every Nigerian. Apera also mentioned that additional names would be included for the upcoming payments scheduled for May.
President Buhari’s executive order on March 29th enforced a lockdown in Lagos, Ogun, and the FCT due to the high number of Coronavirus cases in these areas. As part of measures to alleviate the economic impact of the lockdown, the President directed the payment of N20,000 to vulnerable households through the social investment scheme.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has already commenced the disbursement of the funds.