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FG says initiative boosts health, education, and resilience across Nigeria
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₦6.3bn interest-free loans to support 21,000 flood victims
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FG launches new disaster management and resilience strategies for 2025–2030
The Federal Government( FG), has disbursed more than ₦300 billion to 8.1 million households nationwide under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme aimed at reducing poverty and improving community resilience.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, made this known on Monday during a roundtable to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Abuja.
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“Under the Hope Agenda of Mr. President, the Ministry has, through the National Social Investment Agency, done very well in improving the resilience of local communities. So far, over 8.1 million households have benefited from over ₦300 billion in conditional cash transfers,” Sununu said.
He explained that the intervention has significantly improved the health, education, and welfare of beneficiaries across states and would continue as part of the government’s long-term poverty reduction effort.
Interest-Free Loans for Flood Victims
The Minister also announced plans to distribute ₦6.3 billion interest-free loans to about 21,000 Nigerians affected by flooding across the country.
“We are planning to provide 21,000 Nigerians with interest-free and collateral-free loans of ₦300,000 each to mitigate the effects of flooding and support farmers affected by disasters,” he said.
Sununu further disclosed that the ministry was developing a livelihood support programme to empower internally displaced persons (IDPs) by linking them to stable markets for their products.
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“We have launched a programme with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to support food security among displaced persons. The government will off-take 70% of their produce, while the remaining 30% goes directly to the farmers as income,” he explained.
NEMA Launches New Disaster Strategy
In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, said Nigeria was witnessing an increase in climate-related disasters, conflicts, and health emergencies that require stronger coordination and financing.
She announced the launch of two policy instruments — the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030) — to strengthen preparedness and proactive risk management.
“Resilience must be mainstreamed across sectors — from agriculture, energy, and infrastructure to education and health. NEMA is developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to provide early warning and guide risk-informed investments,” Umar said.
She also highlighted the importance of innovative disaster financing tools, including climate funds, insurance pools, and catastrophe bonds, to sustain national resilience efforts.
Top Officials in Attendance
The roundtable was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, and international development partners.
