FGN gives update on presidential conditional grant scheme
By Esther Agbo
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has issued an update regarding the ongoing disbursement process for the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, aimed at alleviating economic hardship among Nigerian citizens.
The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, FGN, Hon. Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzika-Anite, made the announcement via her official X (formerly Twitter) handle on June 27, 2024, addressing applicants and the general public.
In her statement, she expressed gratitude to the applicants for their patience, noting that approximately 60 percent of the 1 million available grants have already been allocated.
She mentioned that with nearly 4 million Nigerians applying for the N50,000 palliative grant, the selection process has been competitive. However, she assured that the selection is conducted randomly by computer-generated processes, ensuring equal chances for all applicants regardless of their application timing.
She said, “It’s important to note that almost 4 million Nigerians applied for the Palliative grant of 50k, but only 1 million beneficiaries can be accommodated.
“This means not all applicants will receive the grant. The selection is not based on who applied first; everyone has an equal chance but by random computer generated selection.
“While Mr. President may launch other social intervention programs in the future, there are no immediate plans at this time.”
According to Doris, applicants can monitor the distribution progress through a dedicated portal at https://grant.fedgrantandloan.gov.ng/learn-more/dis… which provides updates on the number of beneficiaries per Local Government Area (LGA).
Doris however stated that the disbursement process has experienced delays due to issues such as incorrect or missing data, and duplicate applications, but despite these challenges, she emphasised that accuracy has been prioritised over speed to ensure a fair and transparent process.
“The teams in my office and BOI have worked tirelessly to ensure this process is fair and accurate. Testimonial videos are already being shared, showcasing how the grant has positively impacted lives and we will share many more. We have prioritised accuracy over speed to ensure every Nigerian who applied has a fair shot.
“We had hoped to complete all 1 million disbursements by now but the process has been delayed due to incorrect or missing data, duplicate and spurious applications, which we have had to meticulously clean up to ensure eligibility and validation,” she said.
She added that, in addition to the grant scheme, the government is nearing the final stages of vetting for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Manufacturing loans and applications for these loans remain open, with disbursements expected to commence by the end of July.
The Minister concluded by addressing the importance of constructive feedback from citizens, acknowledging the right of the public to hold the government accountable but urged for criticism to remain respectful and free from hate speech.
In her words: “Finally, it is your right as citizens to criticise and hold the government accountable. However, we encourage constructive feedback without resorting to abuse or bigotry. Personal insults and hate speech are not likely to aid your applications and will not be tolerated. Together, we can build a more prosperous Nigeria.”
