ABUJA, Nigeria – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have demanded transparency in the Federal Government’s N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), questioning beneficiary selection, payment failures and safeguards against political interference.
In a Freedom of Information (FOI) request dated November 7, 2026, SERAP urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to disclose the programme’s budget, funding, implementation and beneficiary selection criteria.
The request followed the ministry’s October 30 announcement of the intervention, which provides N50,000 in financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians. SERAP said the government had not provided adequate information on the programme’s total budget, geographical coverage, duration or eligibility requirements. It also questioned how beneficiaries were selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
The organisation asked the minister to publish details of budgetary allocations, funds released and spent, beneficiary verification procedures and the distribution of recipients across states and local government areas. It also sought clarification on whether the N50,000 assistance was a one-off payment or a recurring monthly benefit.
According to SERAP, the ministry’s initial announcement described the intervention as a monthly payment, but a subsequent frequently asked questions document failed to clarify the payment frequency and duration.
“Nigerians have a right to know how public funds allocated to NERSI are being spent, who is receiving the assistance, how beneficiaries are selected and whether the programme is reaching those most in need,” SERAP said.
The organisation warned against using the relief programme to secure political support or influence voting decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It urged the ministry to base beneficiary selection strictly on verified needs and objective eligibility criteria. It also insisted that recipients must not be required to attend political rallies, support candidates or display party materials to access the assistance.
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