The Nasarawa State Social Investment Agency has intensified efforts to support vulnerable groups across the state, expanding its monthly cash transfer programme to include 6,000 residents.
Director General of the agency, Imran Usman, revealed this while briefing the press in Keffi on Thursday.
He noted that the cash amount provided to each beneficiary has been reviewed upward to N7,000, covering all 13 local government areas in the state.
Usman said the programme, now in its 15th cycle, is set to continue for 24 months and aims not only to alleviate hardship but also to promote small-scale entrepreneurship among the poorest residents.
“One of the core ideas is to help beneficiaries become self-reliant. We visit them to assess how they’re using the money and reward those doing well with additional support ranging from N30,000 to N50,000, depending on available funds,” he said.
He credited the expansion and smooth running of the initiative to Governor Abdullahi Sule’s leadership, citing his consistency in ensuring the timely and fair delivery of funds.
“In the first term, we reached 3,800 people with N5,000 each. Now we’re covering 6,000 with N7,000 monthly. The implementation has been seamless and very transparent,” Usman said.
He concluded by stressing the impact of the programme on daily lives.
“To outsiders, N7,000 may seem small, but to elderly citizens and widowed mothers trying to care for their children, it is a lifeline. We remain thankful to Allah and to the governor for this intervention,” he added.