Abuja – Mediaage NG News – The Nigerian government has said it will begin the distribution of 1.1 trillion ($1.5bn, £1.2bn) cash to 15 million vulnerable households in the country, aimed at alleviating the soaring food, fuel and commodity prices.
Each eligible household will get ₦25,000 ($32) in cash, as palliative for a three-month period, beginning this month.
But, the country’s Finance Minister did not give an exact start date while having a press conference in the capital, Abuja, during the week.
The Nigerian government believes that vulnerable households represent 62 million Nigerians – in a country with a population of more than 200 million.
It had first announced the scheme in July – intending to give $10 each to 12 million households.
But this prompted an public outcry, with many saying it was not enough.
In response, President Bola Tinubu announced a new scheme during independence day events earlier this month.
However, questions have been raised about who qualifies for the handouts and how households will be chosen.
Many Nigerians are experiencing economic hardships owing to the removal of a fuel subsidy by the government in May, when Mr Tinubu took office.
According to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, about 63% of Nigerians are considered “multi-dimensionally poor” – meaning they suffer from many deprivations.