The Governor of Anambra State in Nigeria has announced the creation of something like a selective basic income to be given to 1,050 people in the state for one year to be followed by one lump sum payment at the end of the year. It is hoped that this program will help recipients to get out of poverty and establish themselves in business. This program is not a true basic income guarantee, of course, because it is selective. A basic income guarantee ensures that every member of a political community has some small income. The extreme selectivity of this program brings up many possible issues of fairness and corruption. However, if successful, this program could lead to wider distribution of cash benefits.
More information about the program is online at:
Chukwujekwu Ilozue, “Nigeria: Obi Pledges to Alleviate Poverty,” Daily Independent (Lagos) June 19, 2011
https://allafrica.com/stories/201106211000.html
