The Federal Government has announced plans to expand its direct cash transfer programme to reach more poor and vulnerable Nigerians, in a bid to cushion the effects of ongoing economic reforms.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Edun, the initiative currently supports over 15 million households nationwide, providing direct financial assistance to ease the hardship resulting from policy adjustments such as subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms.

“There is an attempt to ensure that the pains of reform are immediately alleviated. That’s why there is a transparent, accountable, and robust system of providing direct payments to 15 million households,” he stated.

The minister emphasised that the cash transfer system is built on transparency and digital accountability, using verifiable data to track payments.

“In some places, people say they haven’t heard of anyone receiving the payments. We immediately call for the data to verify this because each individual is identified by name, national identity number, and paid digitally—either to a bank account or mobile wallet,” Edun explained.

He added that the programme would soon be scaled up to accommodate more beneficiaries at the grassroots level, describing it as a central part of the administration’s social protection drive.

In addition, Edun unveiled a new ward-based development initiative designed to channel funds directly to Nigeria’s 8,809 wards across 774 local government areas. The initiative, he said, would empower small businesses, artisans, and cottage industries with access to financial support.

“This will empower economically active people at the ward level small businesses and cottage industries by providing support and financing. It’s a key element in ensuring that the benefits of current reforms and improvements reach right down to the local level,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Founder of the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership, Dr. Arunma Oteh, called for greater investment in infrastructure and human capital to drive sustainable development.

Oteh stressed that Nigeria must increase infrastructure spending to bridge its wide developmental gap.

“China, over the years, invested 24 per cent of its GDP in infrastructure. At best, we do 4 to 5 per cent. If we want to bridge the infrastructure gap, we must raise this to at least 12 per cent,” she said.

She also urged policymakers to focus on youth development and leadership training, noting that long-term national progress depends on consistent investment in people and systems that support inclusive growth.

The expansion of the cash transfer scheme marks one of the Federal Government’s latest interventions to cushion the impact of inflation and economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians, even as officials continue to push for broader macroeconomic stability.