FG Approves N4bn Cash Transfer for Vulnerable Households, N2bn Loans for Farmers

The Federal Government has approved a N4 billion conditional cash transfer programme to assist vulnerable households across Nigeria, targeting at least 10 million displaced families. The initiative, announced by Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, during the launch of the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan in Abuja, aims to address Nigeria’s growing humanitarian challenges. The cash transfer programme, set to run from February to April, will prioritize women, particularly widows, pregnant women, and those living with disabilities, focusing on families affected by displacement in conflict-prone regions such as Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. Additionally, the government has allocated N2 billion for interest-free loans to farmers in rural areas. These loans, ranging between N300,000 and N400,000 per household, are intended to boost food production and improve access to markets. Prof. Yilwada emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of displaced persons, returnees, and affected communities while prioritizing female-headed households, who often face challenges such as gender-based violence and food insecurity. The Minister highlighted that the government’s interventions are part of a broader strategy combining humanitarian, developmental, and peacebuilding efforts to build long-term resilience in affected areas. Trond Jensen, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, noted that 7.8 million people across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states will require humanitarian aid in 2025, underscoring the critical need for these measures.