The Federal Government (FG) has stepped up efforts to expand its social protection programme, with fresh focus on coordination and delivery at the state level, as part of a broader push to reduce poverty and strengthen livelihoods.
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During a strategic visit to Akwa Ibom State, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro, said the government is prioritising stronger collaboration with states to improve the impact of the Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme (HoPE-CT).
The visit, which took place at the Government House in Uyo, included a meeting with the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, where both sides reviewed progress and discussed ways to scale implementation.
Dr Doro said the current phase of the programme is designed to ensure that support reaches vulnerable households efficiently and transparently, with clear systems to track results.
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“Collaboration between the Federal Government and states is critical to achieving meaningful impact. Our focus is to ensure that every intervention is properly targeted and delivers measurable outcomes,” he said.
Figures released during the visit show that Akwa Ibom has recorded significant progress under the programme. In the first tranche, 276,970 beneficiaries received support, with ₦6.92 billion disbursed. The second tranche covered 240,038 beneficiaries with ₦6.00 billion, while the third tranche reached 234,142 beneficiaries with ₦5.85 billion.
In total, the programme has disbursed ₦18.78 billion in the state, making it one of the key beneficiaries of the initiative.
Officials say the impact goes beyond cash support, pointing to improved household stability and increased economic activity at the community level. The programme is also expected to help reduce vulnerability among low-income families by providing a buffer against rising living costs.
Akwa Ibom State was commended for its commitment to the programme, with the minister describing it as a key partner in the national effort to reduce poverty.
The renewed push comes as the government moves to address longstanding challenges that have affected similar programmes in the past, including weak data systems and poor targeting. Under the current framework, emphasis is being placed on accountability, transparency and the use of verified data to identify beneficiaries.
Dr Doro said reforms are underway to ensure that every beneficiary is tracked from entry into the programme to eventual exit, with the aim of helping households move towards self-reliance rather than long-term dependence.
The initiative aligns with the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has placed poverty reduction and social investment at the centre of its economic agenda.
Analysts say sustained collaboration between federal and state governments will be key to the programme’s success, particularly as implementation expands across the country.
For many households, the stakes are high. With inflation and economic pressure affecting incomes, targeted cash support remains one of the most immediate ways to provide relief. However, officials insist the long-term goal is to build a system that not only supports families but also helps them transition out of poverty.
As implementation continues, attention will be on whether the programme can deliver consistent results at scale and maintain transparency across all levels of government.
