The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that nine million of the country’s poorest households benefitted from direct cash transfers implemented as part of reforms backed by the World Bank Group.
This disclosure comes as Nigeria’s debt exposure to the International Development Association (IDA) climbed to $18.7 billion as of December 31, 2025—an increase of $1.9 billion within a year.
According to the IDA Management’s Discussion and Analysis report for the period ending December 31, 2025, the new figure reflects an 11.3 percent rise from the $16.8 billion recorded at the close of 2024. The increase positions Nigeria as the third-largest borrower in the IDA portfolio, trailing Bangladesh at $23.0 billion and Pakistan at $19.4 billion.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Finance reiterated that nine million vulnerable households across Nigeria had received cash support under World Bank-assisted reforms. The announcement was made by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, during his keynote address at the IDA20 Retrospective Launch hosted by the World Bank Group.
In his remarks, Edun emphasised the importance of safeguarding vulnerable citizens during economic reforms, noting that “reform must protect the vulnerable.” He explained that through the integration of digital identification systems, more than 12 million Nigerians had enrolled in the programme, nearly 60 percent of them women. Of this number, nine million of the poorest households were provided with direct financial assistance.
Edun added that the use of secure digital identification has enhanced transparency and efficiency in the distribution process, helping to minimise leakages, boost public confidence, and widen access to economic opportunities.
The ministry further noted that IDA20—the 20th replenishment cycle of the International Development Association—mobilised $97.4 billion in concessional funding to assist the world’s poorest nations, including Nigeria, in tackling poverty, instability, climate-related challenges, and global economic shocks.
Reflecting on the global climate at the time IDA20 was introduced, Edun recalled that it was launched amid multiple crises, including lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and worsening food insecurity. He said Nigeria faced significant economic strain during this period but opted to pursue structural reforms rather than retreat.
Among the measures highlighted were exchange rate unification, removal of fuel subsidies, and the cessation of deficit monetisation. Edun said IDA’s Development Policy Operation provided critical financial support at a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s reform journey.
Describing Nigeria’s engagement with IDA as distinctive, he noted that the country serves both as a beneficiary of concessional funding and as a contributing donor. He concluded that IDA20 demonstrated how coordinated concessional financing aligned with national priorities can yield stronger outcomes, reduce fragmentation, enhance policy coherence, and support responsible reform efforts.