NERSI: SERAP urges FG to disclose details of beneficiaries of N50,000 relief payment

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, “to disclose details of the funding, implementation and administration of the ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), including beneficiary selection, payments, contracts with digital financial service providers and safeguards against political interference.”

SERAP’s request follows the ministry’s public statement of 30 October 2026 announcing NERSI, which is intended to provide ₦50,000 in 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 the budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility criteria, beneficiary selection and verification processes, geographical distribution of beneficiaries, and whether the ₦50,000 assistance is intended as a one-off payment or a monthly intervention.”

SERAP also urged him to “publicly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the programme’s implementation and expenditure, investigate allegations of corruption, and help ensure that the funds reach their intended beneficiaries.”

In a Freedom of Information request dated 7 November 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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, “Publicly funded social assistance must be allocated strictly on the basis of genuine need and objective eligibility criteria. It must not be used to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty, finance political mobilisation or influence the electoral choices of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

According to SERAP, “Beneficiaries must not be required or encouraged to attend political rallies, support political parties or candidates, display political materials or demonstrate political loyalty as a condition for receiving assistance. NERSI is a government programme funded with public resources, not a personal gift or political benefit from any office-holder or political party.”

The request, read in part: “Access to the requested information would enable Nigerians to assess whether NERSI is reaching eligible and vulnerable persons, whether public funds are being properly accounted for, and whether adequate safeguards exist against political interference, corruption and misappropriation.”

“Disclosure would also strengthen public confidence in social protection programmes and help ensure that resources intended for vulnerable Nigerians are used for their intended purposes.”

“We would be grateful if the requested information and measures are provided and taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel the Ministry and other relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations and ensure the proper, transparent and accountable implementation of NERSI in the public interest.”

“SERAP is also concerned by reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 assistance have been unable to access or withdraw the funds, while others reportedly encountered messages indicating that they were not eligible.”

“These reports raise questions about the accuracy of beneficiary verification, the reliability of payment arrangements and the effectiveness of mechanisms for resolving failed or disputed payments.”

“The Ministry should urgently investigate these complaints, publish its findings and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance intended for them.”

“SERAP is further asking the Ministry to disclose agreements with the digital financial service providers engaged to administer NERSI payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint, as well as the roles, fees and performance of the providers.”

“The use of the National Social Register and national identity records to identify beneficiaries must be governed by clear rules and appropriate data-protection safeguards. The Ministry should disclose how these records are being used and ensure that beneficiaries’ personal information is protected, while making anonymised and aggregated information available for public scrutiny.”

“SERAP recognises the importance of providing financial assistance and social protection to Nigerians experiencing poverty and economic hardship.”

“However, a programme involving public funds and the personal information of vulnerable households must be administered according to clear and publicly accessible rules, objective eligibility criteria, appropriate safeguards and effective independent oversight.”

“According to the Ministry’s public statement of 30 October 2026, NERSI is intended to provide ₦50,000 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, and the criteria and methodology for identifying and selecting beneficiaries from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.”

“The Ministry’s statement describes the ₦50,000 assistance as a monthly payment, while its subsequent FAQ does not clearly specify the frequency or duration of payments.”

“The Ministry has also not provided sufficient information about the selection and oversight of digital financial service providers, the protection and use of beneficiaries’ personal data, the independent verification of payments, or effective mechanisms for addressing complaints, disputed selections and wrongful exclusions.”

“SERAP is also concerned about the need to protect NERSI from political interference, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections. Clear safeguards are therefore necessary to ensure that beneficiary selection and payments remain impartial and are not influenced by political considerations.”

“These information gaps make it difficult for Nigerians to assess whether NERSI is being implemented fairly and accountably, and whether public funds are reaching those most in need.”

“Nigerians also have the right to know how the National Social Register and national identity records are used to identify and verify eligible beneficiaries, as well as the total number of beneficiaries selected and verified, disaggregated by state and local government area and, where available and appropriate, by ward.”

“The Ministry also has a legal obligation to disclose an anonymised breakdown of the number of beneficiaries and the total amounts paid or scheduled for payment in each state and local government area.”

“The Ministry should disclose any records of the involvement of political actors in beneficiary selection and payments, access to beneficiary databases, the use of public resources to promote the programme, and any complaints or investigations relating to partisan influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

“The need for effective accountability is particularly important in light of concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report regarding over ₦78.8 billion in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes.”

“The Auditor-General reportedly identified concerns over ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records, among other supporting documentation, were not provided for audit.”

“These findings underscore the importance of adequate financial controls, proper record-keeping, independent verification and effective oversight from the outset of the new intervention.”

“SERAP notes that section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires the State to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2)(b) requires the State to direct its policy towards ensuring that the material resources of the community are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.”

“Section 13 imposes a responsibility on all organs of government and all authorities and persons exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution.”

“The Constitution also recognises important social welfare responsibilities. Section 17(3)(d) identifies the provision of suitable and adequate food, a reasonable national minimum living wage, old-age care and pensions, unemployment and sick benefits, and welfare for persons with disabilities as matters the State should pursue.”

“The effective and accountable administration of social assistance programmes is important to the fulfilment of these constitutional objectives and the dignity and welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.

“Nigeria has also made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to promote integrity, accountability and transparency in the management of public affairs and public funds.”