Auditor-General Questions N33.75bn Cash Transfer Validity

The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF) reported concerns about the payment of N33.75 billion in cash to approximately 3.29 million vulnerable households in 2023. The findings were part of the OAuGF’s 2024 annual report on non-compliance and internal control weaknesses within federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly on July 17, 2026.

The report highlighted that the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) in Abuja made electronic cash transfers totaling N33.751 billion to 3,295,207 households across 35 states, selected from the National Social Register (NSR) and enrolled in the National Beneficiary Register (NBR). However, auditors found that payment vouchers lacked complete information about the recipients, and the NCTO did not provide a REMITA statement for verification.

The audit team faced obstacles in accessing necessary records, raising concerns about potential losses and payments to ineligible beneficiaries. The report called for accountability regarding the funds and recommended recovery of any unaccounted portions.