The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a new initiative to provide financial assistance to struggling households. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of a monthly ₦50,000 cash relief programme for vulnerable households. This programme, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), aims to provide immediate financial assistance to Nigerians affected by rising food prices and the cost of living.
According to Minister Doro, the programme was introduced in response to persistent inflation and rising prices of essential commodities, which have continued to put pressure on household incomes. The minister explained that eligible beneficiaries will receive ₦50,000 monthly, providing direct assistance to help meet essential needs and ease the burden of living costs. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and provide support to those who need it most.
The government has put in place measures to ensure that payments are delivered securely, promptly, and transparently. The ministry is collaborating with licensed digital financial service providers to facilitate the transfer of funds directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts or mobile wallets. Eligible beneficiaries will receive text messages from participating financial institutions requesting their consent before funds are transferred.
Minister Doro warned the public against fraudsters seeking to exploit the intervention, particularly individuals demanding money or sensitive banking information under the guise of facilitating payments. He urged beneficiaries not to disclose their personal identification numbers or Bank Verification Numbers to unauthorised individuals. The minister also provided an official helpline, 0700-022-2222, for Nigerians to report any suspicious activities or seek clarification on the programme.
The programme is designed to complement existing government social protection programmes while strengthening household resilience against economic hardship. According to Minister Doro, the initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, reaffirming the ministry's commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable Nigerians. The programme aims to provide support to those who need it most and alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
The minister stressed that Nigerians are not required to submit applications, pay registration fees, or engage agents to benefit from the programme. Beneficiaries will be notified directly before any adjustments are made to the intervention. The government will regularly review the intervention to reflect changes in living costs, ensuring that the programme remains effective in addressing the needs of vulnerable households.
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is a presidential initiative aimed at providing immediate financial assistance to struggling Nigerians. With this programme, the government hopes to ease the impact of rising food prices and the cost of living on vulnerable households. The programme is a significant step towards alleviating the suffering of Nigerians and providing support to those who need it most.
Key points
- The Federal Government has announced a monthly ₦50,000 cash relief programme for vulnerable households to ease the impact of rising food prices and the cost of living.
