Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has highlighted the significant impact of the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme (HoPE-CT), describing it as one of the most ambitious and impactful social intervention initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Speaking at the HoPE-CT Implementation Press Conference in Abuja, the Information Minister, who was represented by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol Department, Dr. Suleiman Haruna, noted that the programme has successfully reached over 9.2 million beneficiaries across the country, providing critical support to millions of Nigerian households.
According to him, the programme is designed to reach 15 million vulnerable households with special uplift grants of ₦50,000 to 3.6 million families, reinforcing the government’s poverty reduction agenda.
The Minister, explained that the HoPE-CT initiative goes beyond statistics, representing renewed hope, dignity, and improved living conditions for vulnerable Nigerians.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction for its dedication and achievements in implementing the programme.
“The HoPE-CT programme is about restoring hope, expanding opportunities, and laying the foundation for inclusive prosperity. It demonstrates that government is attentive to the needs of its citizens, especially those at the grassroots,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized the need to move beyond figures and focus on the human impact of government interventions. He urged journalists and media practitioners to tell compelling, factual, and non-partisan stories that highlight the real-life transformation of beneficiaries.
“As storytellers, the media must amplify the human angle of these interventions, showcasing before-and-after experiences that rekindle hope among Nigerians and strengthen trust in government,” he said.
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The Minister reiterated that renewing hope remains a central agenda of the current administration and called for sustained collaboration between the media and government institutions to effectively communicate policies and programmes.
He further outlined several key social intervention initiatives of the Federal Government aimed at promoting social inclusion and alleviating poverty.
“The National Social Investment Programme has been reconfigured to include non-collateral, interest-free loans of ₦300,000 to ₦400,000 for youth and women through cooperatives, alongside a revised N-Power programme. The Student Loan Scheme has approved over ₦95.6 billion to support Nigerian students in higher education. The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) continues to provide microloans to entrepreneurs, market women, and traders under TraderMoni and related schemes,” he said.
The 3 Million Technical Talent Programme (3MTT) is targeted at equipping 3 million Nigerians with technical and digital skills, while the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) focuses on upgrading artisans’ skills through technology-enabled training.
The Consumer Credit Scheme, backed with over ₦200 billion, enables citizens to acquire goods without immediate cash payments, while the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative provides transport subsidies to reduce commuting costs. Livelihood Support Grants are delivering nano-grants to 600,000 micro-businesses nationwide, and the LUMINAH 2030 Initiative is designed to empower over one million women and girls through education and vocational training.
The Minister affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation will continue to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure effective dissemination of information and improved public engagement on government programmes.
“As we receive feedback and fine-tune implementation, we will continue to listen, learn, and deliver. Together, we must keep building a Nigeria where no one is left behind,” he added.
The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme has been repositioned to boost school enrollment and support local farmers.