The Federal Government has initiated a revalidation process for entries in the National Social Register, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of its conditional cash transfer programme, which was introduced to alleviate the economic strain brought on by recent reforms.
So far, 2.3 million households have successfully undergone verification and are eligible to receive payments under the renewed scheme.
The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, made this known during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The revalidation comes at a time when the World Bank has expressed concerns over the programme’s slow pace. The initiative, which began in 2023 following the elimination of petrol subsidies and the merger of foreign exchange rates, has reached only a fraction of its intended beneficiaries.
According to the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update titled Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth, just 5.6 million households—roughly 37 percent of the targeted 15 million—had received a payment two years into the programme.
The World Bank approved $800 million in funding to support the initiative, and as of April 30, 2025, $530 million had already been disbursed.
The institution stressed that further implementation hinges on biometric verification of at least one adult in each household, which ensures accuracy and prevents misuse.
Coker-Odusote, who also serves on the inter-agency task force overseeing the identity verification aspect of the project, said the ongoing validation is a crucial step under the National Social Safety Nets programme to make sure that only eligible Nigerians benefit from the assistance.
“The revalidation of the national social register is currently underway to prepare for payment disbursement. So far, 2.3 million individuals have been verified. We are collaborating with relevant agencies to ensure these payments reach the right recipients,” she said.
She emphasized the significance of robust identity verification, explaining that the process helps eliminate errors and ensures that public funds go to deserving individuals.
“We have to be sure that the people listed are actually alive and qualified. That’s the value of digital identity—it serves as a reliable proof of existence and identity that can be authenticated in real time,” she added.
In a related development, Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, spoke to Arise TV, explaining that the slow rollout is due to the need for biometric confirmation, which is essential for accountability.
Fasua explained, “The World Bank is very cautious when it comes to releasing funds, which can slow down implementation. Biometric validation is necessary to ensure transparency. While the Ministry of Finance has records of those due for the funds, scaling the process responsibly is key.”
He urged Nigerians to be patient, noting that it is better to take the time required to ensure the integrity of the process, rather than compromise on accuracy, especially when dealing with programmes meant to support the country’s most vulnerable citizens.