The Federal Government has disbursed ₦658.9 billion in direct cash transfers to 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households as of September 2026, with the World Bank urging authorities to improve payment consistency, expand coverage and establish sustainable funding for the programme.
The figures were reported by The PUNCH on Monday, October 19, 2026, citing the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update, titled Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Shaped State Priorities.
According to the World Bank report, the Federal Government used biometric and digital verification systems to identify beneficiaries and deliver payments under its direct cash transfer programme.
However, the bank said the programme’s effectiveness would depend on the number of households reached, the adequacy of payments and the regularity of disbursements.
It called for faster implementation and improvements in the coverage, value and consistency of transfers to strengthen their contribution to household welfare.
The recommendation comes as many Nigerian households continue to contend with elevated living costs, making the effectiveness of targeted government support an important part of efforts to protect vulnerable people.
The World Bank said the next step should be to move beyond emergency assistance towards a regular and sustainable social protection system.
It recommended dedicated budget lines for social protection at both federal and state levels, alongside a gradual increase in financing from government resources.
The bank also called for a shared framework involving the two tiers of government, with states expected to complement federal interventions through their own budgetary commitments.
Such an approach, according to the report, would help make assistance more predictable and reduce dependence on temporary relief measures.
The recommendations place emphasis not only on the amount spent but also on whether the support reaches eligible households consistently and provides meaningful relief.
The World Bank’s broader October assessment examined how increased public revenues could translate into improved living standards through more effective and accountable government spending.
In a statement published on October 8, 2026, the bank said Nigeria’s economic growth, public finances and external position had improved during 2026, but stressed that sustaining reforms and improving public service delivery would be necessary to ensure that economic gains benefit more Nigerians.
The report also examined the spending priorities of state governments following increased revenue allocations, highlighting the importance of directing public resources towards development outcomes.
For the cash transfer programme, the bank’s recommendations point to the need for a more dependable system backed by clear budgetary commitments, stronger coordination and consistent payments.
Although the reported ₦658.9 billion disbursement represents substantial government spending on vulnerable households, the World Bank’s assessment emphasises that the programme’s impact will ultimately depend on its reach, the adequacy of assistance and the reliability of future payments.
