Assessment of Population Growth and Social Protection Programme in Nigeria: Cash Transfer Scheme in Focus

Abstract

Population size and structure play a vital role in national planning and development, as people depend on natural, social, and economic resources for survival. Increasing population expands demand for human and natural resources. This often leads to socio-economic and environmental challenges. In Nigeria, a significant portion of the population faces poverty and unemployment, prompting government intervention through diverse programmes including Social Protection Programmes (SPPs). These programmes, particularly cash transfers are devices intending to alleviate poverty and support vulnerable populations. Thus, this paper explores the effectiveness of these interventions amidst a rapidly growing population in Nigeria, using secondary data and qualitative analysis. Findings reveal that only about 36% of the 15million target population has benefited from the programmes; the financial support often provided is too small to generate meaningful economic uplift in the face of rising inflation and business costs; and factors such as illiteracy, poor banking infrastructure, political favoritism, and weak transport systems further limit the accessibility and success of the programmes, particularly in rural dwellers. The study recommends government should increase the financial allocation for social protection programmes to reach a larger proportion of the poor; efforts should be made to improve literacy rates, especially in rural areas to improve participation in cash transfer schemes; and lastly, a robust and transparent beneficiary selection process should be adopted to eliminate political interference and ensure that the most vulnerable populations are prioritized.