The National Cash Transfer Office has rejected allegations that the Federal Government could not provide sufficient evidence that N33.75 billion in electronic cash transfers reached genuine beneficiaries.
The allegation followed findings by the Auditor-General for the Federation, who questioned payments made by the office in 2023.
However, the National Cash Transfer Office said the interpretation of the audit findings was incomplete, insisting that the funds were transferred through the government’s established payment system to beneficiaries listed in the National Beneficiary Register.
The office also denied obstructing auditors from accessing payment records, saying it had documentary evidence, including emails, showing that beneficiary information and REMITA payment records were provided to the audit team.
According to the Auditor-General’s report, N33.751 billion was electronically transferred to about 3.3 million households and beneficiaries across 35 states. The auditors raised concerns because payment vouchers did not contain complete beneficiary details and the REMITA statement needed to reconcile the payments with the National Social Register and National Beneficiary Register was reportedly not presented.
In its response, the Cash Transfer Office stressed that an audit query does not automatically amount to a finding of fraud, diversion or loss of public funds.
It said beneficiary records were maintained electronically and could be reconciled with corresponding payment records. The office added that the 2023 National Beneficiary Register was sent to auditors by email in April 2025, while records for 2024 and 2025 were also transmitted in April 2026.
The office further disputed other audit observations involving N4.62 billion in payments, N350.18 million released for beneficiary enrolment, and N36.74 billion in payments made without prepayment audits.
It maintained that supporting documents and electronic records were available for verification and said some funds previously questioned had already been recovered or refunded.
The National Cash Transfer Office urged the public and media to distinguish between audit observations that require clarification and established findings of fraud or financial loss. It also reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with oversight authorities and providing the necessary records for reconciliation.