By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The World Bank has urged the Federal Government and state governments to establish a sustainable social protection system, warning that Nigeria’s N658.9bn cash transfer programme needs wider coverage, adequate payments and regular disbursements to provide meaningful relief to vulnerable households.

As of September 2026, the Federal Government had disbursed N658.

The bank, however, said the programme must move beyond emergency interventions to a reliable system backed by regular government funding.

The recommendation was contained in its latest Nigeria Development Update, titled ‘Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Shaped State Priorities’.

According to the report, the effectiveness of cash transfers depends on the number of households reached, the value of payments and how consistently beneficiaries receive them.

The bank called for dedicated budget allocations at both federal and state levels, with increased funding from domestic resources to ensure continuity and reduce dependence on temporary interventions.

It also stressed the need for stronger coordination between the two tiers of government to improve the delivery and monitoring of social assistance programmes.

The report said a predictable, adequately funded social protection system would help vulnerable Nigerians cope with economic pressures and improve household welfare.

Mean while, President Bola Tinubu has received the United Nations’ proposed 2027 budget, valued at about $14 billion, from Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the global body, Jimoh Ibrahim, who described the presentation as a historic milestone for the country, which is chairing the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters for the first time in 66 years.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 85-year-old grandmother and five other suspected drug traffickers during coordinated raids in Edo.

The Edo Commander of NDLEA, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Benin.

Ofoyeju said the operations led to the seizure of 407.

The NDLEA boss identified the suspects as Grace Ehimeka, 85; Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35.

He said Ehimeka, also known as Mama Grace, was arrested at her residence in Warake on Oct. 16, with 15 bags of cannabis weighing 179kg.

Ofoyeju noted that old age was no excuse for violating the law, adding that the command remained committed to combating illicit drug trafficking in the state.

“The NDLEA Act is clear: you cannot hide under the canopy of old age and perpetrate acts that violate the law.

“The octogenarian, Grace Ehimeka, was apprehended on Oct. 16, in her house at Warake community.

“This is a bad example for her children and grandchildren,” he said.

The commander said Ehimeka admitted ownership of the drugs in her statement and pleaded for another chance.

Ofoyeju said operatives arrested Garba in Ivbiaro on Oct. 15, with 5.85kg of cannabis, while Braimoh was arrested in the same community on the same day with 100g of the substance.

He added that Mubid was arrested in Warake too with two kilograms of cannabis, 309g of cannabis seeds, 114g of loud and 135g of assorted pharmaceuticals, including tramadol, swinol and diazepam.

According to him, Aigberadion was arrested in Ewe/Irue, Owan East Local Government Area, on Oct. 16, with 220.8kg of cannabis.

Ofoyeju said Okoro was apprehended in Auchi town with 237g of loud.

“The arrests and seizures form part of our renewed efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse,” he said.

The NDLEA chief urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support the fight against drug trafficking and abuse. (NAN)

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria’s economy would have collapsed had President Bola Tinubu not taken what he called far-reaching decisions.

He said but for the tough decisions, critics would by now be writing epistles on a collapsed economy from the comfort of their homes in Dubai and New York.

Shettima spoke at a forum titled ‘Together till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy’, organised by the City Boy Movement in conjunction with the Relax-Tinubu-Is-Fixing-Nigeria movement, both of which are backing the President’s reelection in the January 2027 elections.

The Vice President credited the President’s decisions for the economy’s recovery.

He said, “The President took those far-reaching decisions. He had the courage of conviction and the knowledge to take those far-reaching decisions that repositioned the Nigerian economy, so that now the economy grew by 4.43 per cent in the last quarter.

“Most importantly, our foreign reserves are now hovering at the level of $60bn.

“Remember how far we have come. It’s only those who have been in the deepest valley that will appreciate how magnificent it is to be on a mountain top.”

To the critics of the administration, Shettima said, “The same people that are crying wolf. If the President had not taken those far-reaching decisions, Walahi, I am not talking to you as a politician. I am talking to you as a Nigerian, our economy would have collapsed.

“These people, by now, would be writing epistles on a collapsed economy from the comfort of their homes in Dubai, in New York, or in marriage with their young Moroccan wives.

“I have not mentioned anybody’s name.”

He admitted that Nigerians had endured hardship, but said it could have been worse.

“Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the President has to be commended, not demonised.

“Yes, Nigerians have gone through some tough times, but it could have been worse.

“Be reassured that in the coming weeks, the President will come up with robust responses to agricultural challenges, and prices of foodstuff will certainly come down,” he stated.

The Vice President said efforts were being made to reposition the economy, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and investments in infrastructure. He then asked the youth to carry the message to the streets.

“I urge the youth of Nigeria. I beseech thee. I implore you to go out to the streets and tell the truth to other Nigerians,” he stated.

At the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council on October 14, Shettima mocked the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and the former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, over their economic proposals.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported on August 31 that real GDP grew by 4.43 per cent in the second quarter, up from 4.23 per cent a year earlier.

It put headline inflation at 14.63 per cent in September, down from 15.39 per cent in August and 20.98 per cent in September 2025.

Food inflation, however, was 19.59 per cent.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria put external reserves at $55.07bn as of October 9.

The City Boy Movement, led by its Director-General, Francis Shoga, unveiled a nationwide campaign for Tinubu’s reelection on June 11, when Shettima received its leaders at the Presidential Villa.

The Minister of Youth Development said it had representatives in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The APC flags off its campaign in Kaduna on October 24, ahead of the presidential election on January 16, 2027.