The Federal Government, in partnership with the Kwara State Government, says it has expanded social protection efforts in Kwara State, with over 460,000 households benefiting from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme.
This was disclosed during a working visit by the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, to Ilorin, the state capital, where he engaged stakeholders and beneficiaries of the programme.
The engagement, held at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, brought together federal and state officials, development partners, and beneficiaries drawn from all 16 local government areas of the state.
Doro described the programme as a key pillar in Nigeria’s poverty reduction strategy, stressing that it demonstrates effective collaboration between federal and state governments in addressing economic hardship.
He also emphasised the importance of transparency and proper targeting to ensure that assistance reaches vulnerable households, urging beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly to improve their living conditions and economic stability.
Earlier, the Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Mariam Imam, said the programme aligns with the state’s social inclusion agenda, particularly in supporting orphans, vulnerable children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
She noted that the cash transfer initiative has been implemented in phases, reaching over 183,000 households in the first phase, 139,000 in the second, and more than 141,000 in the third, covering communities across the state.
The Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, described the initiative as a major social investment programme that continues to improve livelihoods and align with the administration’s inclusive governance agenda.
She added that over 463,000 households are expected to benefit across the combined phases of the programme.
The Acting General Manager of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme, AbdulWasiu Tejidini, highlighted the state’s role as a pioneer in social investment delivery, noting that its model has been replicated in other parts of the country.
He reaffirmed the commitment to expanding support to traders, artisans, transport workers, and other vulnerable groups.
The visit ended with renewed commitments from both federal and state authorities to strengthen coordination and expand the reach of social protection programmes across the state.
