The Federal Government’s effort to cushion economic hardship has entered a new phase, with the National Cash Transfer Programme now scaled up to reach 15 million Nigerians. Oyo State is directing its share of the scheme toward struggling small business owners, street vendors, and other informal sector workers.
In Ibadan, government officials and stakeholders gathered for a sensitisation meeting to outline how the initiative will work on the ground. Representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Dr. Mofoluwake Ibitoye described the programme as “a lifeline for vulnerable entrepreneurs who are working hard but need extra support to stay afloat.”
According to figures shared by the Governor’s Office, over 150,000 Oyo households have already received payments in the last six months. The transfers, sent directly into verified bank accounts linked to NIN and BVN, aim to remove any chance of diversion or fraud.
Programme Manager Akintunde Gbadamosi explained that recipients must appear on the state’s Social Register, and the rollout is being simplified through personal bank accounts and debit cards. He added that the process is being refined to make it faster and more accessible for those in remote areas.
Representatives of the National Orientation Agency, National Identity Management Commission, and the Department of State Services praised the scheme’s ability to soften the blow of fuel subsidy removal on low-income traders. They pledged to support verification drives and community outreach to ensure genuine beneficiaries are reached.
With Nigeria’s cost of living on the rise, the Oyo State government says it sees the programme as more than just welfare — it is an investment in the resilience of the state’s informal economy.
