Nigeria Lawyer Festus Ogun to Petition FG for Full List of 71 Million Cash Transfer Beneficiaries

The Digest:

Human rights lawyer Festus Ogun is set to petition the Federal Government, demanding full disclosure of the 71 million Nigerians allegedly paid ₦25,000 under its cash transfer scheme. The move follows Finance Minister Wale Edun’s claim that ₦330 billion was disbursed to 8.1 million households, sparking public skepticism and calls for transparency.

Key Points

• Ogun, known for successfully suing Lagos Gov. Sanwo-Olu over social media blocking, will formally demand the beneficiary list.
• The petition challenges the FG’s transparency in its ₦330 billion poverty alleviation program.
• Finance Minister Edun stated 71 million individuals received payments, some multiple times.
• Public reactions on social media range from support to skepticism about the scheme’s legitimacy.
• Critics question the feasibility of 71 million beneficiaries given Nigeria’s poverty data and past graft scandals.
• Ogun’s action echoes growing citizen demand for accountability in government welfare programs.
• The FG has yet to provide verifiable data or breakdowns for the claimed disbursements.

Ogun’s petition amplifies a broader public distrust in government welfare claims, testing the administration’s commitment to open governance and tangible poverty reduction.

Sources: TrendingExplained/X, Public Commentary