News
FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme
FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government on Monday disclosed that more than nine million Nigerians have so far benefited from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) Programme, a social protection initiative aimed at easing the impact of rising living costs on vulnerable households across the country.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Benard Doro, revealed this during a ministerial briefing and press conference in Abuja, noting that the programme has made significant progress since it was launched in December 2023.
According to the minister, a total of 9,178,837 beneficiaries have received the first tranche of the intervention, while 7,203,579 have been paid the second tranche and 6,497,089 have already accessed the third tranche.
He said the figures reflect the growing reach of the initiative and its role in supporting millions of Nigerian households struggling with economic pressures.
“Each eligible household receives seventy-five thousand naira paid in three instalments. The support enables families to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare and education,” he explained.
Doro noted that the intervention, implemented under the National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up, represents a strategic shift from short-term humanitarian responses to a more structured and transparent national social protection system.
“We are no longer responding to poverty episodically. We are building systems to end it sustainably,” he said.
He further explained that beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register, with identities verified through the National Identity Management Commission using the National Identification Number and Bank Verification Number to ensure transparency and prevent duplication.
The minister also highlighted the programme’s gender balance, revealing that women account for 58.7 per cent of beneficiaries while men make up 41.3 per cent.
He warned members of the public against paying money to access the scheme, stressing that the programme is completely free.
“Let me be unequivocal; this programme is entirely free. No Nigerian should pay to be registered, enrolled or benefit. Anyone demanding payment is engaging in criminal activity,” he said.
To strengthen accountability and address complaints, the government has established a multi-layer grievance redress mechanism, including a toll-free line for enquiries and reporting of irregularities.
In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the integration of digital identity into the programme has significantly improved transparency and efficiency.
She disclosed that more than 13.2 million beneficiary records were submitted for verification, out of which about 11.8 million were successfully authenticated.
“Through the NIN-based verification system, we are eliminating duplication, reducing leakages and strengthening public trust in government interventions,” she said.
Coker-Odusote added that an additional 3.1 million records are currently undergoing verification as part of efforts to expand coverage.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, said the programme was designed to provide immediate relief for poor households while also creating pathways for long-term economic stability.
He revealed that the initiative is supported by an eight hundred million United States dollar facility from the World Bank’s International Development Association and initially targeted 10.4 million households nationwide.
Imam noted that the Federal Government has since expanded the target to fifteen million households, underlining its commitment to strengthening social protection for vulnerable citizens.
The HoPE-CT Programme is being implemented across the thirty-six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at reducing poverty and promoting inclusive economic growth.
FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme
Troops foil attack on Rim community, three killed in Gwarim, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Nigerian troops have foiled an attack on Rim community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, while three residents were reportedly killed in a separate incident at nearby Gwarim community.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 25, when troops deployed in the area responded to an attack on Rim community at about 6:08 p.m.
The troops engaged the attackers and successfully repelled the assault without any casualty among the personnel or members of the community.
However, at about 6:46 p.m., the troops responded to another report of gunfire at Gwarim community, also in Riyom LGA.
On arrival at the location, the troops discovered the bodies of three residents who had been killed while reportedly keeping watch in the bush outside the community.
The corpses of the victims were recovered and subsequently handed over to members of the community for further necessary action.
The troops have since intensified patrols and are dominating the area in an effort to locate and apprehend the perpetrators.
The latest incidents come amid heightened security concerns in parts of Plateau State, particularly communities around Riyom and neighbouring areas.
Troops foil attack on Rim community, three killed in Gwarim, Plateau
Operation Savannah Shield troops foil attempted kidnapping of farmers in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Savannah Shield have foiled an attempt by suspected terrorists to kidnap farmers at their farmlands in Tudun Harara village, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2026, when troops of the NATRAC Administrative Battalion, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kotonkoro, responded to a distress report on the attempted abduction.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops engaged the terrorists upon arrival, forcing them to withdraw into the surrounding forest.
During the encounter, the fleeing terrorists abandoned a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to protect farming communities and deny criminal elements freedom of action across Niger State.
Operation Savannah Shield troops foil attempted kidnapping of farmers in Niger
Operation Fansan Yamma troops foil ransom exchange, rescue kidnapped woman in Kebbi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued a kidnapped woman and disrupted a planned ransom exchange in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The troops, conducting counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations in the state, carried out the successful operation on Aug. 26, 2026, following credible intelligence on the planned ransom payment.
Zagazola Makama gathered from security sources that the victim had been abducted from her farm sometime last month, while the criminals were preparing to collect ransom in exchange for her release.
Acting on the intelligence, the troops swiftly mobilised to intercept the transaction.
Sources said the criminals attempted to engage the advancing troops after sighting them but were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower.
The bandits subsequently fled in disarray, abandoning the hostage, who was immediately secured by the troops.
The victim was found unharmed and later transported to safety before being reunited with her family in Danko-Wasagu LGA.
Following the rescue, the troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the withdrawal route to ensure that the area was fully secured before returning to base.
In a related operation, the troops also conducted clearance and dominance patrols in Ngaski Local Government Area as part of efforts to maintain peace and deny criminal elements freedom of movement.
The patrols were completed without incident, further strengthening security presence and reassuring residents in the affected communities.
Operation Fansan Yamma troops foil ransom exchange, rescue kidnapped woman in Kebbi
Troops foil attack on Rim community, three killed in Gwarim, Plateau
Operation Savannah Shield troops foil attempted kidnapping of farmers in Niger
Army troops recover 97 rustled livestock, hand them over to owners in Kano
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