By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex-Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has mocked the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, over Federal Government’s empowerment programme. Sani said Edun thinks he can lift 25 million Nigerians from poverty with N25,000. Edun had said the social investment programme had expanded its reach to 25 million vulnerable Nigerians from five million households.
The programme involves direct cash transfers to individuals on the social register, verified through biometric identification and paid through bank accounts or mobile wallets. Speaking with State House Correspondent at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Edun said the first and second payments have already been made to beneficiaries. 
According to Edun: “Those payments have been rolled out. They’ve now reached five million households, 25 million Nigerians, and first and second payments are being made.” Reacting, Sani posted on X: “N25k for 25million people.Minister Edun has lifted 25million people out of poverty, they have now arrived at the Airport of prosperity. Kudos.”
