SERAP Urges FG to Disclose N50k NERSI Beneficiary List and Safeguards

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Federal Government to disclose comprehensive details of the N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, including beneficiaries, funding arrangements, and measures to prevent abuse of the programme. This demand was made in a call on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro. The organisation requested information on the implementation and administration of the relief scheme.

The request follows the ministry's public statement of October 30, 2026, announcing NERSI, which aims to provide financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians. However, questions remain about the programme's funding, geographical coverage, and engagement of digital financial service providers. SERAP urged the minister to disclose details of budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility criteria, beneficiary selection and verification processes, and geographical distribution of beneficiaries.

SERAP also requested information on whether the N50,000 assistance is intended as a one-off payment or a monthly intervention. The organisation 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, investigate allegations of corruption, and help ensure that funds reach their intended beneficiaries.

In a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, SERAP said Nigerians have a right to know how public funds allocated to NERSI are being spent, who is receiving assistance, how beneficiaries are selected, and whether the programme is reaching those most in need. The organisation emphasised that publicly funded social assistance must be allocated strictly on the basis of genuine need and objective eligibility criteria.

SERAP expressed concern about reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the N50,000 assistance have been unable to access or withdraw funds, while others encountered messages indicating they were not eligible. These reports raise questions about the accuracy of beneficiary verification, payment arrangements, and mechanisms for resolving failed or disputed payments. The ministry should urgently investigate these complaints and publish its findings.

The organisation also requested that the ministry disclose agreements with digital financial service providers engaged to administer NERSI payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint. SERAP recognised the importance of providing financial assistance and social protection to Nigerians experiencing poverty and economic hardship. However, a programme involving public funds and personal information of vulnerable households must be administered according to clear and publicly accessible rules.

According to the ministry's public statement, NERSI aims to provide N50,000 in financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians. However, important questions remain unanswered regarding the programme's total funding, the number of intended beneficiaries, its duration, and geographical coverage. Clear safeguards are necessary to ensure that beneficiary selection and payments remain impartial and are not influenced by political considerations, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Key points

• SERAP demands transparency in N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention programme.