By Tolulope Eniola
No fewer than 396,671 households in Ondo State have been captured under the Federal Government’s cash transfer programme, as authorities move to validate beneficiaries of the N9.9 billion disbursed in the state.
Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, disclosed this on Monday while receiving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr Bernard M. Doro, during a courtesy visit to his office in Akure.
The governor stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and state authorities in implementing social intervention programmes, noting that effective service delivery depends largely on synergy between policymakers and grassroots structures.
He commended the Federal Government’s Household Prosperity and Cash Transfer Programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a significant humanitarian initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable households across the country.
According to the Governor, the South-West region has benefited about N62 billion from the scheme, with Ondo State accounting for 396,671 households spread across the first, second and third tranches of the programme.
He explained that due to the scale of the intervention, the government opted for targeted engagement rather than full-scale household verification, adding that selected beneficiaries from the 18 local government areas would be engaged to provide direct feedback on the programme’s implementation and impact.
The governor also highlighted challenges encountered by some beneficiaries, particularly issues relating to National Identification Number (NIN) registration.
He directed relevant officials to intensify efforts to reach affected individuals, especially those listed on the social register, to ensure proper data updates and seamless payment.
Governor Aiyedatiwa further commended the minister’s field-based assessment approach, noting that direct engagement with beneficiaries would enhance transparency, accountability and overall effectiveness of federal social intervention programmes.
In his remarks, the minister said his visit formed part of a nationwide review of the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme.
Doro disclosed that Ondo State had received about N9.9 billion under the scheme through successive payment cycles, covering the first, second and ongoing tranches.
He noted that over nine million households have benefited from the programme nationwide, with each household receiving N75,000 in three tranches across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister, however, expressed concern over low public awareness of the programme despite its wide reach, calling for improved communication and transparency in the delivery of social protection initiatives.
He added that randomly selected beneficiaries in Ondo State would be engaged directly to confirm receipt of funds and provide feedback to guide future policy decisions.
Doro explained that the ongoing exercise is primarily a data validation process aimed at strengthening accountability, improving beneficiary targeting and enhancing the overall effectiveness of federal welfare programmes.
He also revealed that the Federal Government is working on a redesigned social protection framework, emphasising that grassroots engagement would play a critical role in shaping future interventions to reflect the real needs of citizens.
In attendance were; The Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Chief of Staff , Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip; Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Elder Ayodele Akande; Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Allen Sowore; Special Adviser to the Governor on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Princess Kikelomo Ikuomola; Director – General, OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Mrs Yemi Pirisola.
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