Cash Transfers? What Tinubu’s N500b Palliative Fund Can Do for Nigerians

Bola Tinubu Proposes N500 Billion Palliative Fund to Alleviate Economic Hardship in Nigeria

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has requested the National Assembly to approve a N500 billion palliative fund in order to provide economic relief to Nigerians. This comes after the discontinuation of fuel subsidies by the federal government, which has resulted in increased costs of petrol and other commodities due to rising transportation expenses.

Tinubu’s Promise of Economic Rebirth

Tinubu acknowledged the hardships faced by the Nigerian people but emphasized that the removal of fuel subsidies is necessary for the country’s rebirth. He assured the public that the palliative fund is forthcoming, but expressed concerns about ensuring that the cash transfers reach the intended recipients and do not fall into the wrong hands.

Examining Tinubu’s N500 Billion Palliative Proposition

FIJ conducted an analysis of Tinubu’s N500 billion palliative proposal and sought expert opinions on how the funds could be effectively utilized.

Source of the N500 Billion

The N500 billion will be sourced from a N819,536,937,813 supplementary budget introduced by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 to address the impact of floods on farmlands.

Concerns About Cash Transfers

While Tinubu considers cash transfers as a form of economic palliative, experts have reservations about its effectiveness. Muda Yusuf, the head of the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), expressed concerns about the management and inclusivity of cash transfers, highlighting issues such as the credibility of the social register and data accuracy.

Exploring Better Ideas for the Palliative Fund

Experts suggest that the N500 billion should be directed towards fiscal policies, investment in crucial infrastructure, and subsidies in sectors such as health, education, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and transportation. These measures would directly impact vulnerable populations and help reduce the cost of living. Other proposed initiatives include wage reviews, concessions on taxation for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, and reducing tariffs on mass transit buses.

Next Steps

The federal government will provide more details on how they plan to intervene with the palliative fund after receiving approval from the National Assembly.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of population below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location.
Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and service capacity and access).
Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.
Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: fij.ng

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SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty	Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.	Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of population below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.	Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.	Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and service capacity and access).
SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.	Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.	Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities