By Paul Joseph
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Federal Government seven days to disclose details of the ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) grant.
The demand followed complaints from beneficiaries over delayed payments, inaccessible funds and difficulties completing account verification.
SERAP made the demand in a Freedom of Information request dated 7 November 2026 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. The organisation urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to provide comprehensive information on the programme.
It requested details of the grant’s funding, beneficiaries, payment arrangements and contracts with the five approved digital financial service providers.
SERAP also wants the government to disclose the total budgetary allocation for the intervention, funds released so far and expenditure incurred.
The organisation requested information on the eligibility criteria, verification procedures and the distribution of beneficiaries across states, local government areas and wards.
It further asked the government to clarify whether the ₦50,000 grant is a one-off payment or a recurring monthly intervention, following earlier government communications describing it as monthly support.
SERAP also sought details of the contractual obligations, service charges, performance standards and data-protection measures involving the five approved payment providers.
The organisation warned against possible political interference in the distribution of the funds ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that assistance should be based on genuine need rather than political affiliation.
The NERSI programme was announced by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction on 30 October 2026 as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship on vulnerable Nigerians.
Under the initiative, selected beneficiaries are entitled to receive ₦50,000 without repayment obligations or registration fees.
The government said beneficiaries would be selected through the National Social Register and verified National Identification Number records, with coverage across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The approved payment providers are ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo Payment Service Bank, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
However, the rollout has been accompanied by complaints from Nigerians who said they received SMS notifications, completed the required registration and consent procedures, but were yet to receive their funds.
Some beneficiaries reportedly received multiple notifications from MoMo PSB on 1, 7 and 8 November without corresponding payments. Others said their accounts appeared to have been credited, but the funds remained inaccessible or could not be withdrawn.
Similar complaints have emerged from users of NairaGram and Moniepoint, while some beneficiaries blamed Bank Verification Number linkage problems for difficulties upgrading their accounts and accessing the funds.
Although some Nigerians have confirmed receiving their payments, the contrasting experiences have raised concerns about the consistency of the programme’s implementation.
SERAP also cited concerns raised in the Auditor-General’s 2024 report, which reportedly identified more than ₦78.8 billion in unaccounted funds linked to previous social intervention programmes.
The organisation specifically referred to ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023 that allegedly lacked proper REMITA records.
It called for stronger monitoring of the NERSI intervention and urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, to ensure accountability.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has directed beneficiaries experiencing payment difficulties to contact their respective financial service providers or call the NERSI support line on 0700-022-2222.
The ministry reiterated that the grant is free and warned Nigerians against individuals or platforms demanding payment for registration or guaranteed selection.
With SERAP’s seven-day deadline running from its 7 November request, the Federal Government is expected to provide the requested information or risk legal action under the Freedom of Information Act.
SERAP said transparency and accountability were essential to ensuring that public funds meant for vulnerable Nigerians reached the intended beneficiaries.
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