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

Private Sector Steps Up as Foundation, Partners Train 60 Youths to Tackle Skills Gap

By: Michael Mike

Concerned about the widening gap between academic qualifications and workplace readiness in Nigeria, private sector actors have intensified efforts to prepare young people for employment, with 60 youths recently trained in practical and entrepreneurial skills in Ibadan.

The training was conducted under the Skill-Up Ibadan 2.0 initiative organised by Ogbeni Labzy Alternative in partnership with the Tegbe Foundation, as part of efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and support human capital development.

The two-week programme, held in Ibadan, brought together young professionals for intensive training designed to equip them with practical competencies needed to thrive in today’s competitive labour market.

Facilitated by industry practitioners, the sessions combined technical training with critical soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and entrepreneurship, reflecting growing recognition that employability now requires more than academic knowledge.

Convener of Ogbeni Labzy Alternative, Adeola Adelabu, said the initiative was conceived as a deliberate intervention to address the persistent skills gap affecting many Nigerian youths entering the workforce.

According to him, the programme was structured to expose participants to market-relevant knowledge and practical tools that would improve their ability to secure employment or create their own opportunities in an increasingly dynamic economy.

Adelabu noted that the initiative also reflects the growing role of private sector organisations and philanthropic institutions in supporting youth empowerment and workforce development.

The programme was organised in commemoration of the 60th birthday of Joseph Tegbe, whose foundation has been actively supporting youth-focused initiatives across sectors.

Other partners involved in the programme included Sebs Hub, SkillNG, and SchoolNowNow, which contributed to the programme’s design, facilitation and learning resources.

Participants who completed the training said the programme significantly improved their technical knowledge, strengthened their soft skills and boosted their confidence to pursue career opportunities in a challenging economic environment.

In a goodwill message, Executive Director of the Tegbe Foundation, Femi Adeleke, praised the organisers and reiterated the foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young people and enhance workforce readiness.

He stressed that sustained investment in skills development remains critical to unlocking Nigeria’s demographic potential and preparing young people to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

Additional remarks by Olajumoke Adelabu and Ibrahim Oredola highlighted the importance of partnerships among the private sector, development organisations and training institutions in expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.

Certificates were presented to all participants at the end of the programme, with special recognition given to outstanding trainees and contributors.

Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that expanding initiatives such as Skill-Up Ibadan would help address the growing skills deficit in Nigeria’s labour market while strengthening the country’s human capital base.

Private Sector Steps Up as Foundation, Partners Train 60 Youths to Tackle Skills Gap

Troops rescue 157 civilians, foil ISWAP abduction in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued no fewer than 157 civilians abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 30 at about 2:50 p.m. when troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Echo 1, Dutse Kura, came under attack while on escort duty.

During the engagement, it was discovered that the terrorists had kidnapped about 17 vehicles conveying an estimated 157 civilians and were moving them into the bush along the route.

“Own troops immediately deployed to the location and successfully engaged the terrorists, repelling the attack and forcing them to flee towards Mangari axis.

The troops pursued the fleeing insurgents into the bush, compelling them to abandon the abducted vehicles and all the victims.

However, during the pursuit, the QRF team encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Bula Zarma–Mangari general area.

One soldier sustained severe injuries from the explosion and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility in Biu for expert treatment.

The rescued victims, comprising men, women and children, were moved to Buratai town for onward transportation to their respective destinations for reunification with their families.

Military sources said troops have continued to dominate the general area, while the security situation remains unpredictable.

Troops rescue 157 civilians, foil ISWAP abduction in Borno