FG Deploys AI to Identify Rural Poor as Over 5.8 Million Nigerians Benefit from Cash Transfer Scheme — Minister

In a groundbreaking move to tackle poverty, the Federal Government has utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify extremely poor individuals in rural communities across Nigeria, according to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, the Minister revealed that AI technology was instrumental in expanding and verifying Nigeria’s social register, allowing the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program to reach over 5.8 million households within just six months of President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

“AI was used to generate the list of people who are poor within the community using their varied telephone numbers,” Yilwatda explained. “It also identified an additional 6.5 million urban poor, who were added to the national social register.”

According to the Minister, the updated and verified social register now covers 19.7 million individuals — a key tool in ensuring that government support is reaching the most vulnerable.

He further dismissed criticisms that the ₦75,000 cash transfer was insufficient to support low-income earners, stating that data from a World Bank-backed study showed that 18% of beneficiaries successfully started small businesses with the funds.

“I’m from a rural community myself. If you give a rural farmer ₦75,000, it can be a game-changer. The World Bank research confirmed that 18% of recipients were able to start businesses,” Yilwatda said.

Under President Tinubu’s administration, all transfers are now made strictly to verified account holders, a move the Minister says has boosted transparency and impact.

With nearly 29 million Nigerians estimated to have benefited indirectly from the program so far, the Minister expressed optimism that technology-driven social intervention programs would play a crucial role in reducing poverty and empowering local communities across the country.