The Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA) has fixed December 22, 2025, as the date for the commencement of payments to beneficiaries of the new cycle of the Fintiri Business Wallet programme. The Director-General of the agency, Dr. Michael Zira, announced the date during a press briefing held on Sunday at the PAWECA headquarters in Yola, where he provided a detailed update on the progress of the scheme and preparations for the next phase of disbursement.
Dr. Zira expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his consistent support to micro and small business owners across Adamawa State. He said more than 40,000 people had benefited from the programme in the last three to four months, while 100,000 additional micro-enterprise operators were expected to benefit in the new round. He recalled that ₦5 billion was disbursed to 100,000 beneficiaries in the previous year, adding that the intervention contributed to a 14 per cent reduction in poverty across the state over the last two years.
The DG said data capture for eligible applicants would begin on Monday, December 8, for Yola North, Yola South and Girei LGAs, while the remaining LGAs would commence their sessions on Tuesday or Wednesday. The exercise, to be conducted at local government secretariats, will run for seven days. He noted that only applicants who pass the verification process—particularly those cleared of BVN and account-related issues—would receive payment on December 22. He stressed that previous beneficiaries should not expect payment and must not reapply, as their information remains stored in the PAWECA database.
Zira lamented that during the last edition, about 1,500 individuals who had already benefited attempted to reapply, thereby wasting slots meant for genuine applicants. He warned that those who falsify documents or engage in fraudulent practices would face prosecution. He further cautioned residents against anyone demanding ₦20,000 or any fee in exchange for PAWECA forms, urging them to report such cases to the nearest police station.
He explained that the distribution of forms remains strictly through government stakeholders, both elected and appointed, and urged citizens to hold these stakeholders accountable to ensure forms reach genuine micro business operators such as traders, artisans, tailors, food vendors, petty shop owners and mechanics. He added that individuals who filled forms in previous editions but were not paid could lodge complaints at the PAWECA office with their supporting documents for verification.
Dr. Zira reiterated that the entire process remains transparent and that all eligible beneficiaries will be paid except those who have benefited before or those with unresolved banking issues. He called on community leaders, youth groups, women groups, councillors and political appointees to ensure the programme reaches the grassroots as intended by the governor.
