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| Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris |
ABUJA – The Federal Government has intensified its drive to alleviate economic hardship, revealing a target to reach 15 million households through the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) programme.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed on Monday, March 30, 2026, that the initiative has already reached over 9.2 million beneficiaries, providing a critical lifeline to grassroots families across Nigeria.
The "HoPE-CT" Breakdown
The programme is designed to move beyond simple statistics to offer "dignity and renewed hope" to the country's most vulnerable. Key components include:
- Uplift Grants: ₦50,000 special grants targeted at 3.6 million families.
- Reach: A total goal of 15 million households nationwide.
- Focus: Grassroots empowerment and inclusive prosperity.
A Suite of Social Interventions
Minister Mohammed Idris highlighted several key pillars of the current administration’s strategy to promote social inclusion and alleviate poverty. Beyond the HoPE-CT cash transfers, here is the full suite of programs currently in operation:
1. Reconfigured National Social Investment Programme
This initiative has been overhauled to focus on direct economic empowerment through grassroots cooperatives.
- The Benefit: Non-collateral, interest-free loans ranging from ₦300,000 to ₦400,000.
- Target Audience: Specifically designed for youth and women to jumpstart small businesses and agricultural ventures.
2. The Nigerian Student Loan Scheme
A major pillar for educational accessibility, ensuring that financial constraints do not end a student's academic journey.
- Current Funding: Over ₦95.6 billion has already been approved to support Nigerians in higher education institutions across the country.
3. Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP)
Known popularly through its sub-schemes like TraderMoni, this remains the primary vehicle for micro-credit.
- The Benefit: Microloans provided to market women, traders, and small-scale entrepreneurs to maintain liquidity in the informal economy.
4. 3 Million Technical Talent Programme (3MTT)
This is the government’s flagship "Digital Economy" play, aimed at future-proofing the Nigerian workforce.
- The Goal: Training and equipping 3 million Nigerians with highly sought-after technical and digital skills to compete in the global tech market.
5. Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA)
Focused on the "blue-collar" sector, this program aims to professionalize traditional trades.
- The Strategy: Upgrading the skills of local artisans (mechanics, carpenters, electricians, etc.) through technology-enabled training and modern certification.
6. National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme
A dual-purpose initiative that tackles education and local commerce simultaneously.
- The Impact: It is being repositioned to boost school enrollment numbers while providing a guaranteed market for local farmers who supply the food.
The "Human Angle" Directive
Minister Idris urged the media to move past the "figures" and focus on real-life transformations. He called for journalists to showcase "before-and-after" experiences of beneficiaries to strengthen public trust in government interventions.
