The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, yesterday, laid out comprehensive measures being implemented by the Federal Government to ensure that the gains of macroeconomic reforms substantially impact Nigerians.
Edun, who spoke at Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference in Abuja, said the government’s reforms were being implemented with a clear focus on easing the hardship faced by citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
He said while many Nigerians are struggling with the impact of rising food and transport costs, the government is already rolling out targeted interventions to cushion these effects.
According to him, the government has established a transparent, accountable, and robust system for providing direct payments to 15 million households in Nigeria.
“Each individual beneficiary is identified by name and their National Identity Number, and payments are made digitally—either directly to their bank accounts or mobile wallets,” Edun said.
He explained that the digital payment approach ensures real-time monitoring, transparency, and accountability in the disbursement process.
Addressing concerns that some communities have not yet benefited, Edun said data showing the names of beneficiaries, who have received the first, second, and third tranches of payments, would soon be made public.
He added that beyond cash transfers, the government has introduced a ward-based development programme to deliver resources, information, and funding directly to Nigeria’s 8,809 wards in the 774 local governments.
He said: “The initiative will empower economically active people at the ward level—supporting small businesses, cottage industries, and local entrepreneurs to boost production and create sustainable livelihoods”.
According to him, the reform agenda is not only designed to stabilise the economy but also to ensure that its benefits reach right down to the lowest levels of society.
He described the ward-based initiative as a people-centred intervention that brings governance closer to the grassroots.
“Our goal is to build an inclusive economy where every Nigerian feels the positive impact of reforms,” Edun said.
