The Nigerian federal government has issued a warning regarding the growing prevalence of counterfeit online platforms purportedly facilitating palliative distribution across the country. The alert was raised by the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, who communicated the concern via her official handle on Monday.
Minister Uzoka-Anite revealed that unauthorized online platforms are falsely claiming affiliation with the Presidential Palliative Programmes, misleading individuals by charging fees for palliative distribution services. In response to this alarming trend, she urged Nigerians to exercise caution and disregard such platforms, emphasizing that the only legitimate and verified platform for the palliative initiative is the one officially endorsed by the government.
In her statement, the Minister urged citizens to rely exclusively on the official portal, http://fedgrantandloan.gov.ng, for authentic updates and applications related to the Presidential Palliative Programmes. She stressed the importance of protecting personal information and avoiding unauthorized channels to ensure accurate details about these crucial initiatives.
“It has come to my notice that unauthorized platforms falsely claim association with the Presidential Palliative Programmes. I, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, urgently advise Nigerians to utilize only the official portal, http://fedgrantandloan.gov.ng, for authentic updates and applications.“
“Protect your information. Avoid unauthorized channels. Rely solely on the verified website for accurate details regarding these vital initiatives. Also, do not pay anyone to process applications. It’s free,” she stated.
The caution comes in the wake of previous announcements, such as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s disclosure in July regarding the allocation of N125 billion in funding for Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme. The government clarified that N75 billion would be allocated to MSMEs across various sectors, with an additional N75 billion earmarked for manufacturers.
As the government intensifies efforts to support businesses and individuals through palliative initiatives, the alert underscores the need for citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities on the internet, particularly those posing as official channels for essential programs.
