The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Government to provide detailed information on its N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) programme. In a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, SERAP asked the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to disclose details of the programme's funding, implementation, and administration. This includes information on beneficiary selection, payments, contracts with digital financial service providers, and safeguards against political interference.
The NERSI programme was announced on October 30, 2026, with the aim of providing financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians. However, SERAP expressed concerns that important questions remained unanswered about the programme's total funding, geographical coverage, duration, and methodology for selecting beneficiaries. The organisation requested information on budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility criteria, beneficiary verification processes, and the geographical distribution of recipients.
SERAP also sought clarification on whether the N50,000 assistance was a one-off payment or a monthly intervention, citing conflicting information from the ministry's public statement and a subsequent frequently asked questions document. The organisation emphasised that Nigerians have a right to know how public funds allocated to NERSI are being spent, who is receiving the assistance, and how beneficiaries are selected.
The organisation raised concerns about possible political interference in the programme, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections. SERAP insisted that publicly funded social assistance must be allocated strictly on the basis of genuine need and objective eligibility criteria, and not used to reward political supporters or influence electoral choices. The organisation also urged the minister to publicly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to monitor the programme's implementation and expenditure.
SERAP expressed concern over reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the N50,000 assistance had been unable to access or withdraw the funds, while others reportedly received messages indicating that they were ineligible. The organisation urged the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings, and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries received the assistance.
The organisation also requested details of agreements with digital financial service providers engaged to administer the payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint. SERAP sought information on the providers' roles, fees, and performance, as well as measures to protect beneficiaries' personal data. The organisation cited concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report regarding diverted or unaccounted public funds in social intervention and cash transfer programmes.
SERAP gave the minister seven days from receipt or publication of the letter to provide the requested information and take proposed measures. The organisation warned that it would consider legal action to compel the ministry and other relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations if they failed to respond within the stipulated period.
Key points
- SERAP demands transparency in FG's N50,000 relief payments to vulnerable Nigerians.
- Concerns raised over possible political interference in the programme.
- Organisation urges minister to invite anti-corruption agencies to monitor programme implementation.
