The Federal Government has clarified that its N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, NERSI, is designed to support vulnerable households across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The programme, run by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, aims to help households struggling with the rising cost of living. According to the ministry, the geographical coverage of NERSI spans all 36 states and the FCT.
The ministry has provided a breakdown of the states covered by the programme, which includes the South-West states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti; the South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo; and the South-South states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. Also included are the North-Central states of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau; the North-East states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe; and the North-West states of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Potential recipients of the N50,000 relief grant are drawn from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, based strictly on poverty and vulnerability criteria. The government has explained that Nigerians picked for the programme can confirm their names, accept the money, and withdraw the funds. The selection process was based on need, and the programme is spread across the six geopolitical zones, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political party.
The government has warned beneficiaries to beware of fraudsters who are already trying to use the programme to steal from people. Beneficiaries will receive a text message from one of the five approved payment providers: ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint. The message will reveal which provider is selected and include a USSD code to dial to accept the grant.
According to the government, each selected person will get N50,000, stressing that the funds are a grant and not a loan. The government further stated that the full amount will be paid, with no deductions. Payments will be made in phases, and not everyone will get a notification at the same time.
The government has assured that personal information is protected under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. It also warned that no official will ask for a PIN, OTP, or BVN, and anyone who asks for those details is not from the programme. Beneficiaries can also dial their provider's USSD code themselves and select the option to check their eligibility.
The NERSI programme is part of the government's efforts to support vulnerable households struggling with the rising cost of living. The programme's implementation is being monitored by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, which has assured that the selection process is fair and transparent.
Key points
- The NERSI programme covers vulnerable households in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
- Beneficiaries will receive a text message from one of the five approved payment providers.
- The programme's selection process is based on poverty and vulnerability criteria.
