ATIKU QUESTIONS TINUBU OVER ₦600BN CASH TRANSFERS

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Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to explain discrepancies in its reported figures for the national cash-transfer programme, particularly the claim that more than ₦600 billion has been disbursed to vulnerable households.

The controversy emerged after the Federal Government provided different figures for the number of households reached by the programme. The Presidency had previously stated that expanded cash transfers had reached 15 million vulnerable households, while Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Minister Bernard Doro said on August 26 that the programme had reached slightly more than 10 million households.

The difference of roughly five million households has prompted questions about how beneficiaries are counted and how much money has actually reached Nigerians.

ATIKU QUESTIONS THE GOVERNMENT'S FIGURES

Atiku has called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide a detailed account of the funds reportedly distributed through the programme.

According to reports, Atiku's concerns centre on the difference between the earlier figure of 15 million households and the government's more recent figure of slightly above 10 million. He has questioned what happened to the five million households that appeared in the earlier government figures.

He has also called for greater transparency, including an independent audit and payment records capable of demonstrating how the money was distributed.

The former vice-president's challenge is particularly significant because the programme involves public funds intended to support Nigerians facing economic hardship.

THE ₦600 BILLION QUESTION

Minister Bernard Doro said the Federal Government had disbursed more than ₦600 billion in cash transfers over the past three years, reaching slightly more than 10 million households.

The government describes the transfers as part of its efforts to cushion vulnerable Nigerians from economic difficulties and provide direct assistance to households.

However, Atiku argues that the figures require further clarification. He has questioned how many households received one payment, multiple payments or the full amount allocated under the programme.

These questions do not, by themselves, establish that funds were misappropriated. They instead highlight the need for the government to publish sufficient information for the public to understand how the programme was implemented.

WHY TRANSPARENCY MATTERS

Cash-transfer programmes can provide important assistance to low-income households, particularly during periods of high living costs. But their credibility depends heavily on accurate beneficiary records, transparent payment systems and independent verification.

A clear state-by-state breakdown of beneficiaries, amounts paid, payment dates, failed transactions and other relevant information could help resolve some of the questions surrounding the programme.

The disagreement also comes at a politically sensitive period, with Nigeria already moving toward the 2027 general elections. Opposition parties have questioned several government initiatives, while the administration maintains that its social-protection programmes are designed to assist vulnerable Nigerians.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The immediate issue is whether the Federal Government will provide a comprehensive explanation of the apparently different beneficiary figures and the more than ₦600 billion reported as disbursed.

For Nigerians, the central question is straightforward: how much money was approved, how much was actually paid, how many households received it, and can those payments be independently verified?

Providing clear answers would help distinguish genuine administrative discrepancies from more serious concerns and could strengthen public confidence in the programme.

Atiku's demand therefore puts the spotlight not only on the amount of money involved, but also on the importance of accountability in government-funded social programmes.

Until the government provides a detailed reconciliation of the figures, the controversy over the ₦600 billion cash-transfer programme is likely to remain an important national political and economic issue.

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