The Federal Government has disbursed N2.1 billion in conditional cash transfer grants to beneficiaries across Akwa Ibom State between January and July 2025. This was made known during the official launch of the scheme in Uyo, the state capital, by Godwin Akpan, the Akwa Ibom State Focal Person of the National Social Investment Programme.
He explained that the Conditional Cash Transfer is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targeted at reducing poverty and supporting vulnerable households across the country. Akpan said the initiative began in Akwa Ibom in 2019 with 29,117 households in nine local government areas. According to him, the scheme expanded in December 2023 to cover all 31 local government areas in the state.
“The Conditional Cash Transfer is an important part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It has helped cushion the effect of poverty among our most vulnerable citizens. We started with nine LGAs in 2019 and scaled up to the entire state last December,” he said.
Helen Obareki, Coordinator in the Office of the First Lady, praised the initiative, calling it a strong legacy of support for the most vulnerable in society. She said it represents meaningful governance and reflects the President’s effort to bring development to the grassroots.
“I have always said that, even though we are currently embarking on numerous audacious projects of deep economic significance, the greatest legacy I hope to leave behind will be our impact in the lives of the people, especially the most vulnerable and, in the process, help restore their faith in the noble ideals of government and governance,” Obareki said.
She also emphasized the importance of proper use of the funds and encouraged recipients to continue supporting the Federal Government’s empowerment programmes. According to her, alongside this conditional transfer, the state has invested in agricultural support, small business funding, and payment of long-standing gratuities. She revealed that over N60 billion out of a backlog of N98 billion owed between 2012 and 2023 has already been paid.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Emem Ibanga, thanked Governor Umo Eno for his leadership in poverty alleviation. She noted that the ARISE compassionate homes initiative had built and inaugurated over 205 homes for the vulnerable in the state.
Further goodwill messages came from Linus Nkan, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning; Inibehe Silas, Commissioner for Women Affairs; and Utibe Nwoko, Chairman of Ika Local Government Council. They all highlighted the importance of social security in governance and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu.
A major beneficiary of the initiative, Joseph Emmanuel, a visually impaired resident from Ikot Ekpene Local Government, thanked both the federal and state governments for ensuring that the selection process was fair and transparent. He described the assistance as timely and impactful.
The programme has reached about 28,000 vulnerable individuals selected from the state’s social register. Each beneficiary receives a debit card loaded with N75,000, covering three months of support under the scheme.