By Our Correspondent
National News – The Federal Government has said that 396,671 households in Ondo State have benefited from its Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme (HoPE-CT), also known as the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer initiative, aimed at reducing poverty and improving household welfare across Nigeria.
The disclosure was made on Monday, April 20, 2026, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The governor explained that the intervention is part of a wider social protection strategy covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the governor, beneficiaries in Ondo State were drawn from the state social register across the 18 local government areas.
Each eligible household received ₦75,000, paid in three tranches of ₦25,000, as part of efforts to support the poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
Doro revealed that over nine million households have benefited nationwide, with about ₦75,000 disbursed per household.
He added that Ondo State alone has received approximately ₦9.9 billion under successive payment cycles, while the South-West region has benefited about ₦62 billion in total funding.
The minister noted that the programme also serves as a data validation and accountability mechanism to improve targeting and ensure transparency.
He, however, expressed concern over limited awareness among some beneficiaries and emphasized the need for stronger communication and NIN registration updates to avoid payment delays.
Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that targeted engagement and feedback collection from selected beneficiaries would help improve implementation and policy outcomes.
He added that the programme’s success depends on accurate data and effective grassroots coordination to ensure that no vulnerable household is left behind.
The cash transfer scheme remains a key component of the Federal Government’s broader social investment agenda designed to support low-income families and stimulate economic stability at the community level.
Altogether, the initiative reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to poverty reduction, social welfare delivery, and improved data-driven targeting for vulnerable households across Nigeria.
