Kano disburses N48.3bn to 600,000 poor households in cash transfer rollout

Kano State has emerged as one of the leading beneficiaries of Nigeria’s social protection drive, with over N48.2 billion disbursed to more than 600,000 vulnerable residents under the federal government’s cash transfer programme.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf disclosed this on Monday while receiving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, at the Government House in Kano, highlighting the scale and impact of the intervention across the State.

According to a statement by Mustapha Muhammad, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the programme has so far reached 609,013 beneficiaries in Kano, targeting citizens living below the poverty line.

Yusuf described the initiative as a critical tool for reducing poverty and promoting economic inclusion, noting that its implementation in Kano has been marked by transparency and operational efficiency.

“This achievement reflects the programme’s far-reaching commitment to poverty alleviation, social inclusion and economic empowerment,” the governor said.

Represented by Sulaiman Wali Sani, his Chief of Staff, Yusuf urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds productively, describing the support as a foundation for sustainable growth rather than short-term relief.

He also commended the minister for providing leadership and support in driving the National Social Safety Net Project-Scale Up (NASSP-SU), which underpins the cash transfer scheme.

Speaking earlier, Doro said his visit was part of a nationwide assessment of the programme, involving engagements with stakeholders and beneficiaries to evaluate progress and impact.

He revealed that Kano’s share of the disbursement surpassed the combined allocations to four other states, attributing this to the state’s effective and transparent implementation framework.

The minister praised the State Government’s commitment to accountability, noting that it has strengthened public confidence in the initiative.

Earlier, Amina Abdullahi, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, confirmed that the programme had been running smoothly with widespread positive feedback from beneficiaries.

BusinessDay reports that the cash transfer scheme is part of broader federal efforts to cushion economic hardship and expand the social safety net for vulnerable Nigerians.