The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for a comprehensive breakdown of the Federal Government's conditional cash transfer programme, which reportedly distributed over N600 billion to 10 million vulnerable Nigerians. HURIWA rejected the explanation offered by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, that many beneficiaries do not own mobile phones, watch television or use social media. The association's national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, signed a statement demanding that the government publish independently verifiable records of the programme.
HURIWA questioned the government's claim that over 10 million households received the reported N600 billion, asking for documentary evidence to support the assertion. The association demanded that the government provide a detailed breakdown of the programme, including the number of beneficiaries in each state and local government, the criteria used for their selection, the amounts paid, dates of payment, and channels through which the funds were transferred. This information is necessary to address concerns about the programme's transparency and accountability.
The association expressed concern about conflicting accounts emerging from different parts of the country regarding the cash-transfer programme. While some officials confirmed beneficiaries of the programme, investigations also revealed accounts from states where residents and government officials claimed they could not identify beneficiaries or establish clear records of payments. HURIWA urged the government to distinguish between different social intervention programmes operated under successive administrations and provide a consolidated account of what was disbursed under the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.
HURIWA challenged the government's reference to the alleged lack of access to mobile phones and social media among beneficiaries, arguing that the programme relies on identifiable beneficiary databases, bank accounts, National Identification Number (NIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN) verification, as well as electronic payment channels. The association argued that if these systems were used, there should be an auditable trail. HURIWA demanded that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Cash Transfer Office, and relevant state agencies provide detailed information on the reported N600 billion expenditure.
The association asked several questions about the programme, including how many households were actually paid, how much each household received, and what independent mechanisms were used to prevent duplication, diversion, and fraudulent claims. HURIWA stressed that these questions are legitimate accountability concerns involving public funds and should not be dismissed as political attacks. The association clarified that it is not alleging that every beneficiary reported by the government was fictitious.
HURIWA called for the publication of an anonymised beneficiary database, payment records, and a state-by-state expenditure breakdown, with sensitive personal information adequately protected. The association also urged the National Assembly and relevant anti-corruption and public accountability institutions to examine the reported expenditure and establish whether the amount claimed by the government corresponds with verifiable payments to legitimate beneficiaries. HURIWA emphasized that poverty cannot be used as a shield against transparency.
The association urged the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with the documentary evidence behind the N600 billion cash-transfer claim. HURIWA stated that the poorest Nigerians deserve social protection, but they also deserve a government whose intervention programmes can be independently accounted for. The association's demands aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds for social intervention programmes.
Key points
- HURIWA demands full disclosure of N600 billion cash transfer programme
- The association questions the government's claim that over 10 million households received the reported N600 billion
- HURIWA calls for the publication of an anonymised beneficiary database and payment records
