Poverty remains one of the biggest struggles in Nigeria. Millions of people hustle daily just to put food on the table. When unexpected problems like a health emergency or job loss hit, things can quickly spiral out of control. One popular way the government and NGOs try to help is through small cash grants.
However, with recent cuts to USAID funding, foreign aid is shrinking, leaving the responsibility squarely on the Nigerian government to step up its efforts. These are direct payments given to low-income individuals and families to help them cover immediate expenses. Some experts believe that cash grants can help break the cycle of poverty by giving people the boost they need to invest in better opportunities. Others argue that while useful in the short term, these grants do not fix the bigger problems like lack of access to credit, poor infrastructure, and limited job opportunities.
One of the biggest challenges poor Nigerians face is unstable income. Imagine you’re a roadside food seller who depends on daily sales to survive. If you fall sick for a few days, you won’t be able to work, which could mean missing meals or not paying rent. Small cash grants can help smooth things over by giving families money to handle sudden problems like this.
Many studies show that when people receive small cash grants, they use them for essential needs like food, healthcare, and school fees. Some even use them to boost their businesses by purchasing more goods or expanding their services. Nigeria’s TraderMoni program provided small grants to market traders, but with inflation driving up the cost of goods and services, the N10,000 grant is no longer enough to make a meaningful impact. Rising prices have significantly reduced its purchasing power, making it difficult for recipients to sustain their businesses.
Many traders find that after buying a few essential items, there is little left to reinvest or expand their businesses. While the grant may help restock goods, it does not provide enough capital for long-term financial stability. With the high cost of living, even food and transportation costs eat into the grant’s usefulness, leaving little room for economic growth. Programs like GiveDirectly, which sends unconditional cash to people in extreme poverty, have also shown that when people get money, they make smart decisions, but the amount must be sufficient to create lasting change.
While cash grants help in the short term, they don’t fix the bigger, long-term problems that keep people poor. Many Nigerians don’t have access to loans or affordable credit. Even if they want to expand their businesses or invest in education, they can’t because banks are not always willing to give loans to low-income individuals. When they do, the interest rates can be outrageously high, making borrowing nearly impossible and further widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
Another major issue is poor infrastructure, which makes it difficult for businesses to grow. Farmers in rural areas, for example, may receive small cash grants to buy better seeds or fertilizers. However, they still struggle with bad roads, lack of electricity for storage, and unstable market prices. While the grant helps temporarily, it does not change the fact that they operate in a tough environment with limited opportunities.
High-interest rate spreads also make it harder for businesses and individuals to access affordable credit. With lending rates soaring as high as 19 percent in recent years, many Nigerians cannot afford to take loans to expand their businesses or invest in productive assets. The cost of borrowing discourages investment, reduces job creation, and limits economic growth. When banks face high borrowing costs from the Central Bank, they pass these costs onto customers, making credit out of reach for many. This financial barrier, combined with shrinking foreign aid, places even greater pressure on the Nigerian government to develop policies that foster a more inclusive financial system.
At the same time, the Nigerian government’s high borrowing levels mean that banks and investors prefer lending to the government rather than to individuals or businesses. This phenomenon, known as “crowding out,” discourages private sector investment and further restricts economic opportunities. Additionally, Nigeria’s debt servicing now consumes a significant portion of government revenue, leaving fewer resources for critical development projects. This cycle of high interest rates and limited access to affordable loans deepens poverty and prevents long-term economic stability.
When people know they don’t have a safety net, they tend to play it safe. A keke Marwa (tricycle) driver who struggles with an old vehicle may receive a small grant. Instead of investing in a bigger opportunity, he may choose to fix the old keke rather than take a loan to buy a new one because he’s afraid of debt. The same happens with small business owners who prefer low-risk ventures instead of taking the leap into bigger, more profitable businesses.
This fear of risk is common in poor communities because people cannot afford to fail. Without proper support systems like insurance, credit access, and financial education, many Nigerians will always choose stability over potential long-term growth. For cash grants to have a lasting impact, they must come with broader changes. More people need access to loans, savings, and insurance to help them take smarter risks and grow financially.
Programs that combine cash grants with financial training can help recipients make better investment choices. Better roads, electricity, and internet access will make it easier for small business owners and farmers to scale up their operations. Instead of relying only on handouts, the government should create more opportunities through skill development and vocational training. Job placement programs can also help people find stable sources of income.
Local cooperatives or community savings groups can provide long-term support for those who receive cash grants. This will ensure they continue to grow after the grant money is spent and reduce dependence on one-time cash aid. Small cash grants provide relief but are not a permanent solution to poverty in Nigeria. With foreign aid like USAID no longer as reliable and high-interest rates making borrowing difficult, the government must invest in long-term economic solutions rather than temporary handouts.
While cash grants help people get through tough times, the bigger challenge is creating an environment where people can take risks, grow businesses, and build wealth. This means fixing financial systems, improving infrastructure, and ensuring access to better jobs. The real question is whether we should keep giving out small cash grants or focus more on changing the systems that make people poor in the first place. A balanced approach—providing immediate relief while tackling long-term barriers—is the key to sustainable poverty reduction in Nigeria.
Abidemi is the Managing Editor @ Newspot Nigeria
