The Federal Government has approved the expansion of the Social Investment Program for the year 2021.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouk disclosed this at the inauguration of Rural Women Grants Project in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The minister represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nura Alkali said the social intervention program was initiated to enhance the lives of the poor and vulnerable in the country.
He said the Federal Government is earmarking over N1bn annually to bring positive changes in the lives of Nigerians.
Alkali explained that since the inception of the program in 2016 over 12m households have benefited.
“Under the program, Over 1m micro, small and medium business owners accessed loans to boost productivity, provided temporary income opportunity to over 500,000 unemployed youths and over 8million pupils one meal per day under the National Homegrown feeding,” he said.
“Also 4000 rural women were given a grant of N20, 000 to uplift their living conditions”
He disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the expansion of the program due to its positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.