A survey conducted by OrderPaper on the disbursement of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) funds revealed significant public dissatisfaction and systemic challenges. This is as the House of Representatives conducted a probe of the programme behind closed doors with a report yet to be released weeks after the deadline for submission
A recnt survey into the disbursement of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) funds has revealed widespread public dissatisfaction and systemic challenges.
The survey was conducted by OrderPaper through its nationwide network of Active Citizens Engaging the Legislature (ACEs). The ACEs are an integral part of OrderPaper’s Legislative Accountability and Constituency Engagement (Leg’ACE) programme which is a community-driven initiative to foster meaningful participation of citizens in Nigeria’s legislative process.
Probing cash transfers in the dark
The survey was conducted on the back of a motion moved by Rep. Abass Adigun (PDP, Oyo) during plenary in the House of Representatives on March 19, 2025, which called for a probe into the disbursement of the cash transfers.
The motion mandated the Committees on Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Affairs to investigate and report back within four weeks.
Findings by Parliament Reports indicate that the committee conducted the probe without the presence of the media. Surprisingly, eight weeks after the expiration of the deadline by the House, the committees are yet to present any findings.
While presenting the motion, Rep. Adigun had raised concerns about the irregularities in the cash transfer programme. He noted that in August 2024, beneficiaries were promised ₦50,000 monthly for three months but many had not received payments or experienced long delays. He expressed concern that there was yet to be an official explanations from the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO).
Survey highlights hitches and glitches
The survey on the cash transfer scheme, which captured responses from a sample size of 523 citizens across all six geopolitical zones, paints a troubling picture of the CCT rollout.
Awareness and Accessibility
- 84.1 percent of respondents were aware of the CCT programme, while 15.9 percent were not.
Despite high awareness levels, gaps persist among vulnerable groups—especially in rural, hard-to-reach areas and among marginalized communities such as women-headed households and persons with disabilities.
Limited access to mainstream media and digital tools further excluded these groups.
Participation and barriers
- 65.6 percent of respondents who were aware of the programme registered for it.
- 56.6 percent of those registered did so online, while 30.7 percent registered through community representatives.
Among those who didn’t register, key barriers stated in the survey includes:
- Complex, bureaucratic registration processes.
- Physical inaccessibility to registration centers.
- Lack of clear information and communication.
- Distrust in government programmes due to past experiences.
Beneficiary experience
- Only 26.8 percent of respondents said they or someone they knew had benefitted from the programme.
- Just 10.1 percent confirmed receiving any funds, while 90.2 percent (472 respondents) did not.
- Amounts received varied widely—from ₦10,000 to ₦80,000—indicating inconsistencies and lack of standardization in disbursements.
The survey highlighted the fact that such inconsistencies undermine public trust and fuel confusion and disillusionment.
Mode of Payment
- 30.3 percent received payments through bank accounts.
- 7.4 percent were paid via community agents.
- 62.3 percent did not receive any payment.
While the use of bank accounts was lauded for improving transparency and security, the reliance on community agents raised concerns about accountability and potential fraud.
Communication failures
- 88.8 percent of respondents who experienced payment delays received no explanation.
The survey described this lack of communication as a critical gap that erodes beneficiary confidence in the programme.
“In poverty alleviation initiatives like the CCT, timely and transparent communication is essential not just to manage expectations, but to uphold the programme’s credibility,” the survey concluded.
Public support nonetheless
Despite identified challenges, 84.4 percent of respondents called for the continuation of the CCT programme, underscoring its importance in addressing poverty.
Recommendation made by the respondents include the following:
- Increase public awareness, especially in rural areas, using local languages and trusted community leaders.
- Ensure consistent and transparent disbursement processes.
- Simplify registration procedures and enhance digital infrastructure.
- Establish feedback and complaint mechanisms for participants.
Committee mute on accountability concerns
As at the time of filing this report, the Chairman of the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Rep. Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe (NNPP, Kano), could not be reached for comments on why the CCT investigation was conducted behind closed doors.
This lack of transparency has rekindled concerns about due process and accountability, especially following the suspension of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, over an alleged diversion of ₦585 million into a personal account.
Leaked documents showed Edu directed public funds to be paid into a private bank account—an act that violates Nigeria’s financial regulations. This scandal led President Bola Tinubu to suspend the poverty alleviation programmes under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
