By Maryam Shuaibu
The number of households benefiting from the Federal Government’s cash transfer intervention in Jigawa State has risen to 178,342, with N11.58 billion already disbursed under the Renewed Hope Social Security Grant and Conditional Cash Transfer programme, the state government has said.
The expansion comes as vulnerable households continue to face pressure from food, healthcare and other living costs, making direct social assistance an important part of Nigeria’s efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, Auwalu Danladi Sankara, disclosed the figures while giving an update on the implementation of the programme across the state.
The number of registered households has increased from 154,412 previously recorded beneficiaries to 178,342.
Mr Sankara said another 25,300 beneficiaries were being brought into the programme through the ongoing distribution of payment cards. When the exercise is completed, he said, an additional N1.897 billion is expected to be injected into the state.
He added that 126,636 registered households had been fully settled during the first phase of the programme, which began in January 2026, with beneficiaries receiving their payment cards and initial grants.
The intervention is being implemented across Jigawa’s 27 local government areas, with the state government working with relevant agencies to facilitate registration, verification and payment.
Nigeria’s cash transfer system forms part of a wider social protection framework administered through the National Social Investment Programme Agency and its National Cash Transfer Office. The federal cash-transfer system is designed to provide targeted assistance to poor and vulnerable households, including support for consumption, nutrition and human capital development (NSIPA).
The federal programme has also increasingly been used as a shock-responsive safety net, particularly as households contend with rising food prices and other economic pressures. The National Cash Transfer Office says its current system builds on the National Social Safety Net Programme and aims to expand support to vulnerable households while strengthening the mechanisms used to identify and reach beneficiaries.
Distribution expands across Jigawa
According to Mr Sankara, payment card distribution had already been completed in several local government areas between June 13 and 24, including Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Buji, Dutse, Kiyawa, Jahun, Miga, Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, Yankwashi, Ringim, Taura, Babura, Gagarawa, Gumel, Maigatari, Sule Tankarkar, Birniwa and Guri.
Further distribution was conducted in Kiri Kasama, Kaugama, Malam Madori, Auyo, Kafin Hausa and Hadejia between June 25 and 30.
The commissioner said the August phase of the exercise was also underway, with distribution scheduled across additional local government areas.
Kiri Kasama was scheduled for August 6, while Kafin Hausa was scheduled for August 7 and 8.
Ringim and Taura were listed for August 9; Babura and Garki for August 10; Miga for August 11; Buji and Jahun for August 12; Kiyawa for August 13; Gwaram for August 14 and 15; Dutse for August 16; and Birnin Kudu for August 17.
Mr Sankara said additional cards were expected to arrive in the state and would be distributed as they became available.
The expansion follows the earlier registration of 154,412 vulnerable households in Jigawa under the Renewed Hope intervention. That figure was reported in June as the state began the latest phase of the programme.
The commissioner said the cash support was intended to do more than provide temporary relief, arguing that money received by vulnerable households would also circulate within local economies.
He said beneficiaries could use the funds to meet immediate needs such as food and healthcare while also supporting small businesses in their communities.
“Rather than only providing immediate relief, the intervention is also expected to stimulate economic activities within local communities,” he said.
He identified petty traders, food vendors, tea sellers and other small businesses as some of the local enterprises likely to benefit as households spend the assistance.
The approach reflects the broader objective of Nigeria’s cash-transfer system, which is intended to support poor and vulnerable households while helping them cope with economic shocks. The National Cash Transfer Office says such interventions are designed to improve household consumption and nutrition while strengthening longer-term human capital outcomes.
Mr Sankara credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration with expanding the intervention and praised Governor Umar Namadi for providing logistical support for its implementation in Jigawa.
He said the state’s involvement was consistent with the governor’s 12-point agenda, particularly its emphasis on social inclusion, economic empowerment and poverty reduction.
The commissioner urged beneficiaries to remain orderly at distribution centres and cooperate with security personnel, local government officials and representatives of the National Social Investment Programme Agency.
He also advised them to present the required identification and verification documents whenever requested.
He warned residents against paying anyone for access to the programme, stressing that registration, card distribution and payment processes were free.
“No fees are attached. Do not give a single naira to anyone claiming to facilitate the process. If anyone attempts to extort you, report the person immediately to ministry officials on site,” he said.
For Jigawa, where the programme now covers more than 178,000 households, the scale of the intervention makes effective verification, transparent payment and monitoring critical to ensuring that the funds reach the vulnerable families for whom the scheme was designed.