Nigeria's N260bn Humanitarian Budget Fails 15m Target

The Nigerian government's 2025 humanitarian budget, amounting to N260 billion, is intended to support 15 million vulnerable households through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP). However, official figures indicate that only 5.9 million households have received assistance, raising serious questions about the program's execution and transparency.

Despite the allocation of funds, experts reveal persistent gaps in the program's reach, with millions remaining outside the safety net. The budget aims to create two million jobs and train 50,000 individuals, with N4.6 billion allocated for capital expenditure and an additional N8.8 billion for NSIP.

Analysts point to structural constraints and weak delivery systems as significant challenges, emphasizing the need for reform in data systems and payment mechanisms. President Bola Tinubu approved N32.7 billion for early 2025 NSIP interventions, including conditional cash transfers, but delays and incomplete payments have hindered effective support for vulnerable households.