“Cash Transfer Scandal: Minister Exposes Political Influence on Beneficiaries”

 Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, shared his concerns about political interference in the federal government’s conditional cash transfer program. Yilwatda, who has been at the forefront of efforts to aid the country’s poorest citizens, stated that some politicians—including state governors—are attempting to sway the list of beneficiaries in their favor.

The Minister was clear: his ministry would not bow to political pressures. He emphasized that the conditional cash transfer program, which is a collaborative effort with international organizations such as the World Bank and civil society groups, has strict qualifications that must be met to ensure fairness.

“Poverty doesn’t know politics, tribe, or language,” Yilwatda said. “A poor person is a poor person, regardless of who they support.” He also pointed out that the transfer program is based on specific conditions, and allowing state governors to influence the beneficiary list would undermine its integrity.

To combat the rising concerns of fraud and transparency, the Minister also announced a suspension of the cash transfers. From now on, recipients will need to provide both a National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to ensure a digital audit trail and safeguard against corruption. Civil society organizations (CSOs) will be involved in monitoring the transfers, adding an extra layer of scrutiny.

Currently, while 19.8 million Nigerians are listed in the social register as eligible for the cash transfers, only 1.2 million people have been validated through the required checks. Yilwatda explained that full validation is necessary to confirm the authenticity of each individual’s information, including verifying their location via GPS and ensuring they meet the poverty criteria based on factors like access to clean water, healthcare, and education.

The government’s goal is to reach 15 million of the most impoverished households, providing them with N75,000 each. However, the path to distributing these funds is still fraught with challenges, including ensuring that the people who need help the most receive it.

Yilwatda’s bold stance follows a tumultuous period for the ministry. In October 2024, he replaced Betta Edu, who had been suspended earlier that year over allegations of financial misconduct. Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Farouq, also faced scrutiny for the alleged mismanagement of billions of naira, highlighting the ongoing issues within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

Despite these setbacks, Yilwatda’s commitment to transparency and fair distribution of resources remains strong, with hopes that the reforms will lead to a more equitable system for Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.