Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, announced that approximately 25 million Nigerians are currently benefitting from various intervention programs initiated by the federal government. During a briefing for the National Economic Council (NEC) at its 145th meeting on Thursday, Edun outlined the scope of these programs, which include digital outreach initiatives, microenterprise loans, and targeted support for key sectors such as power and agriculture.
In his report, Edun highlighted the financial status of several government accounts, noting that the Excess Crude Account holds $473,754.57, the Natural Resources Fund totals ₦26,105,837,627.67, and the Stabilization Account has ₦36,299,452,763.62.
Furthermore, Edun informed the NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, that the government’s economic relief measures have extended to 25 million Nigerians through social protection initiatives. These include sector-specific support in areas like agriculture, manufacturing, health, and compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives.
Additionally, Edun announced a new policy allowing Nigerians to deposit U.S. dollars held outside the formal banking system into the financial system within nine months, free from legal repercussions or financial penalties. This initiative aims to enhance the flow of foreign currency into Nigeria’s economy.
