The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government to disclose the beneficiaries, funding and implementation details of its N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
The organisation also wants the government to explain how beneficiaries are selected, how payments are made and what safeguards are in place to prevent corruption and political interference.
SERAP made the demands in a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The request was addressed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, following the ministry’s October 30 announcement of the relief programme.
Under NERSI, eligible vulnerable Nigerians are expected to receive financial assistance of ₦50,000 through approved digital financial service providers.
SERAP Questions Beneficiary Selection
SERAP said important questions remained unanswered about the programme’s total funding, duration, geographical coverage and criteria for identifying beneficiaries.
It urged the minister to publish budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility requirements, verification procedures and the geographical distribution of recipients.
The organisation also highlighted inconsistencies surrounding the frequency of the payments.
According to SERAP, the ministry’s initial announcement described the ₦50,000 assistance as a monthly payment, while a subsequent frequently asked questions document did not clearly specify the payment frequency or duration.
It therefore asked the government to clarify whether the intervention would provide a one-off payment or monthly financial support.
SERAP said Nigerians had the right to know how public funds allocated to the programme were being spent, who was receiving the assistance and whether the intervention was reaching those most in need.
Group Warns Against Political Interference
The organisation also expressed concern that the relief programme could be exposed to political interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It insisted that beneficiary selection must be based strictly on genuine need and objective eligibility criteria.
SERAP warned against using the intervention to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty, finance political mobilisation or influence voters.
It further maintained that beneficiaries must not be required or encouraged to attend political rallies, support candidates, display political materials or demonstrate political loyalty as a condition for receiving assistance.
According to the organisation, NERSI is a government programme funded with public resources, not a personal gift or political benefit from any public office-holder or political party.
SERAP also 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 implementation and expenditure.
SERAP Raises Concerns Over Failed Payments
The organisation said it was concerned about reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 assistance could not access or withdraw the funds.
Others reportedly received messages indicating that they were ineligible.
SERAP said the complaints raised questions about the accuracy of beneficiary verification, the reliability of payment arrangements and the effectiveness of mechanisms for resolving failed or disputed payments.
It called on the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance intended for them.
The group also requested disclosure of agreements with the digital financial service providers engaged to administer the payments.
The providers include ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
SERAP wants the government to explain their respective roles, fees and performance, alongside measures to protect beneficiaries’ personal information.
It also called for the publication of anonymised information showing the number of beneficiaries and the amounts paid or scheduled for payment in each state and local government area.
Group Cites N78.8bn Social Intervention Funds
SERAP further referenced concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report regarding more than ₦78.8 billion in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes.
It also cited ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records and other supporting documents were reportedly not provided for audit.
The organisation said these findings highlighted the need for proper financial controls, record-keeping, independent verification and effective oversight from the beginning of NERSI.
SERAP gave the minister seven days from receipt or publication of its letter to provide the requested information and implement the proposed accountability measures.
It warned that it would consider legal action to compel the ministry and other relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations if they failed to respond within the stipulated period.
