FG Disburses Second Round of DBT Payments to 1mn Beneficiaries
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has successfully disbursed the second round of payments to approximately one million verified beneficiaries under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program, a critical intervention aimed at providing financial relief to Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.
A statement from the Ministry of Finance said this was revealed during a high-level meeting held in Abuja presided over by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
The meeting focused on assessing the progress of key policies under the Social Investment Programme (SIP), which is designed to alleviate poverty and uplift the country’s most disadvantaged populations.
Mr Edun emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the SIP reaches the most vulnerable Nigerians, especially in a time of economic challenges. He stated that the second round of DBT payments was a major milestone in the government’s efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged Nigerians.
To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the DBT programme, the Presidential Panel on the Social Investment Programme has encouraged the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) to collaborate with the National Identity Management Company (NIMC) to facilitate NIN enrollment for recipients. This integration aims to create a more reliable and accurate database of beneficiaries, further ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.
In addition to the DBT programme, the meeting also discussed reforms to the School Feeding Programme to improve the nutritional quality of meals and expand its reach to more children, particularly in underserved areas. The government is exploring ways to enhance the programme’s impact, including improving food supply chains to guarantee quality and consistency.
To improve the outreach and effectiveness of the social investment programmes, the government is developing a new communication strategy. The Minister highlighted the need to raise public awareness and ensure that all eligible Nigerians are informed about the available programmes and how to access them.
Mr. Edun reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that the SIP is executed with the highest levels of transparency and efficiency. He assured stakeholders that the administration is focused on delivering social investments that will directly impact the lives of Nigerians, particularly those who are most in need.
