The National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) has recorded more than 68 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians in the National Social Register (NSR).

NASSCO disclosed this on Tuesday via its verified Instagram handle, @nassco_nigeria. The agency explained that the figure represents a total of 19 million vulnerable households across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSR was established to create a comprehensive database of poor and vulnerable households in the country. The register is designed to help the government formulate, coordinate, and integrate social safety net programmes into the broader social protection system. These initiatives include the distribution of Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) to support vulnerable Nigerians.

Ms Funmi Olotu, National Coordinator of NASSCO, stated that the NSR aims to ensure that social protection initiatives are targeted, impactful, and evidence-based.

“Our goal is not just to provide assistance but to establish a lasting platform that empowers families and communities to overcome daily challenges,” she said. “We are committed to transparency.”

However, some Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions regarding the disbursement of the CCT to beneficiaries.

Mr Dantala Ahmed, a former enrollee of the defunct N-Power programme in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, told NAN that the current distribution of N25,000 has not been as transparent as previous ones.

“In 2019, we received physical cash because the coordinators came to Gwagwalada, and we were asked to queue. Once your name appeared in the register, you were called to collect the money,” he recalled. “But now, we are in the dark. We do not know what is going on. Sometimes, we only see adverts on social media announcing that the Federal Government will resume payment of the N25,000 CCT.”

In contrast, Mr Mohammed Awwal, a beneficiary from Kpako Ward in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, had a different experience. He described the process as transparent and digitalised, noting that coordinators visited electoral wards to register people using their National Identity Numbers (NIN).

“As a beneficiary of the N25,000 CCT, I can confirm that the process is transparent. The coordinators came to our ward, registered us with our NIN, and provided us with ATM cards,” he said. “As of January this year, I received N25,000, and I was informed that the total amount is N75,000, to be paid in three tranches.

“I believe the government intends to digitalise the system and eliminate the practice of distributing physical cash to ensure accountability,” he added.