The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has disclosed that over 10 million Nigerians who benefited from the Federal Government's conditional cash transfer programme lack access to phones, television, or social media. This revelation was made on September 26, 2026, during a press briefing after a three-day retreat of the APC National Executive Council (NEC) in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to Yilwatda, these beneficiaries are poor and vulnerable Nigerians who received ₦75,000 through the Federal Government's conditional cash transfer programme under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. The programme aims to provide financial assistance to those in need. Yilwatda emphasized that these individuals remain outside online conversations due to their lack of access to devices and platforms required to follow or participate in discussions about government policies.
Yilwatda further explained that the beneficiaries are unable to engage in discussions or challenge government policies due to their limited access to information and communication technology. He highlighted that they "don't have telephones to make calls, they are not on social media, they don't have a television." This digital exclusion limits their ability to participate in the national conversation.
The APC chairman also defended the Federal Government's removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy has provided states with additional resources to pay salaries and pensions and fund development projects. He believes that this policy has positively impacted the nation's economy and governance.
Yilwatda criticised former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his position on subsidy removal. The APC chairman expressed concerns that reversing the policy could affect ongoing government programmes and infrastructure projects.
Some of the projects that may be impacted by a reversal of the subsidy removal policy include the coastal road and a gas project extending towards northern Nigeria. Yilwatda warned that suspending these projects could hinder the government's efforts to ease the suffering of Nigerians and promote national development.
The APC chairman's comments highlight the complexities surrounding the fuel subsidy removal and its implications for the nation. The government's efforts to implement policies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic growth continue to be a subject of debate among stakeholders.
Key points
- Over 10 million Nigerian cash transfer beneficiaries lack access to phones or social media.
- The APC chairman defends the fuel subsidy removal policy.
- Reversing the policy may impact ongoing government projects.
