SERAP Demands Details of N50,000 Relief Payments

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Nigerian Government to disclose how its N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is funded, administered and implemented.

The organisation made the request to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, seeking information on how beneficiaries are selected, how payments are processed, the contracts awarded to digital financial service providers and measures to prevent political interference.

The request was contained in a Freedom of Information letter dated November 7, 2026, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

It followed the ministry’s October 30 announcement of the NERSI programme, which is designed to provide N50,000 in financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.

SERAP said the government had yet to provide sufficient details about the programme’s overall budget, duration, geographical reach and criteria for selecting recipients from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.

It therefore asked the minister to publish the budgetary allocations, funds released and spent, eligibility requirements, beneficiary verification procedures and the distribution of recipients across the country.

The organisation also sought clarification on whether the N50,000 payment would be made once or every month. It noted that although the ministry’s initial announcement described the assistance as a monthly payment, a subsequent frequently asked questions document did not clearly state how often payments would be made or how long the programme would last.

SERAP maintained that Nigerians were entitled to know how public funds allocated to the intervention were being spent, who qualified for assistance, and whether the funds were reaching those most in need.

“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 also warned against using the programme for political purposes, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It said eligibility should be determined solely by genuine need and clearly defined criteria, not political loyalty or support for any party or candidate.

SERAP further stressed that beneficiaries must not be asked to attend political rallies, endorse candidates, display campaign materials or demonstrate allegiance to political actors in exchange for the assistance. It described NERSI as a publicly funded government intervention rather than a personal benefit from any politician or political party.

“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 organisation stated.

To strengthen oversight, the organisation urged the minister to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the programme’s spending and implementation, investigate possible corruption and help ensure that payments reach eligible recipients.

SERAP also raised concerns over reports that some Nigerians had received notifications confirming their eligibility for the N50,000 payment but could not access or withdraw the money. Others reportedly received messages stating that they did not qualify.

It said the complaints raised questions about the accuracy of the beneficiary verification process, the reliability of the payment system and the procedures for resolving failed or disputed transactions.

“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,” it said.

The organisation called on the ministry to investigate the reports, make its findings public and ensure that all qualified recipients receive their payments.

It also requested copies of agreements between the ministry and the digital financial service providers handling the transfers, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.

SERAP asked the government to disclose the responsibilities of each provider, the fees charged and their performance under the programme. It also sought details of the measures in place to protect beneficiaries’ personal information.

The organisation said the use of the National Social Register and national identity records to identify recipients should be guided by clear procedures and data protection safeguards. It urged the ministry to explain how the records were being used while publishing anonymised and aggregated data for public scrutiny.

“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,” it said.

In addition, SERAP asked the government to release state-by-state and local government breakdowns of the number of beneficiaries and the amounts already paid or scheduled for disbursement.

It also sought records showing whether political actors had been involved in selecting beneficiaries, processing payments, accessing beneficiary databases or using public resources to promote the intervention.

To support its demand for stronger financial oversight, SERAP cited findings and concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report over more than N78.8billion in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes.

The organisation also referred to N33.751billion in cash transfers reportedly made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records and other supporting documents were not provided for audit.

SERAP said the concerns highlighted the need for proper financial controls, accurate records, independent verification and effective monitoring from the beginning of the NERSI programme.

“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 said.

It added that publishing the requested information would allow Nigerians to assess the programme’s reach, track the use of public funds and build confidence in government social protection initiatives.

The organisation gave Doro seven days from the receipt or publication of its letter to provide the information and implement the measures it proposed.

It warned that it could take legal action against the ministry and other relevant authorities if they failed to meet the deadline, in order to compel them to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations.