Daud Olatunji
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), including its funding, beneficiaries, payment arrangements and safeguards against corruption and political interference.
The organisation also demanded a breakdown of beneficiaries across states and local government areas, insisting that Nigerians have the right to know how public funds allocated to the intervention are being spent and whether the assistance is reaching the intended vulnerable households.
SERAP made the demands in a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.
The request followed the ministry’s October 30 announcement of the NERSI programme, which is designed to provide ₦50,000 in financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.
However, SERAP said critical details about the intervention remained unclear, particularly its total funding, geographical coverage, duration, beneficiary selection process and the frequency of payments.
The organisation noted that while the ministry’s initial statement described the assistance as a monthly payment, its subsequent frequently asked questions document failed to clearly establish how frequently beneficiaries would receive the money and for how long.
It therefore urged the minister to publish details of budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility requirements, beneficiary verification procedures and the methodology used to select recipients from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
SERAP also demanded the total number of beneficiaries selected and verified, broken down by state and local government area and, where available, by ward.
The organisation further called for the disclosure of agreements with digital financial service providers engaged to administer the payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
It specifically requested information on the roles, contractual terms, fees and performance of the companies involved in the disbursement process.
Expressing concern over reported payment difficulties, SERAP said some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 assistance had reportedly been unable to access or withdraw the money, while others received messages indicating that they were ineligible.
It urged the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and establish an effective mechanism for resolving failed transactions, disputed payments and wrongful exclusions.
The organisation also called on the minister 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.
It said the anti-graft agencies should independently verify payments, investigate allegations of corruption and help ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
SERAP warned that the intervention must not become a tool for political patronage, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
According to the organisation, beneficiary selection and payments must be based strictly on genuine economic need and objective eligibility criteria rather than political affiliation or loyalty.
It stressed that beneficiaries must not be required or encouraged to attend political rallies, support political parties or candidates, display political materials or demonstrate political allegiance as a condition for receiving the 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.
SERAP further demanded that the ministry disclose any records of political actors’ involvement in beneficiary selection, access to beneficiary databases, payment arrangements and the use of public resources to promote the intervention.
On data protection, the organisation said the use of the National Social Register and national identity records to identify beneficiaries must be governed by clear rules and adequate safeguards.
It urged the ministry to explain how the databases were being used, protect beneficiaries’ personal information and make anonymised and aggregated data available for public scrutiny.
The organisation linked its demand for stronger oversight to concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 annual report over more than ₦78.8bn in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes.
It also cited concerns over ₦33.751bn in cash transfers reportedly made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records and other supporting documents were allegedly not provided for audit.
SERAP said the findings underscored the need for proper financial controls, accurate record-keeping, independent verification and effective monitoring from the beginning of the new intervention.
Citing Sections 13, 15(5) and 16(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, the organisation argued that the government had a responsibility to promote accountability, abolish corruption and ensure that the country’s material resources were distributed in the public interest.
It also referenced Section 17(3)(d), which identifies social welfare responsibilities, including unemployment benefits, adequate food, healthcare-related support and assistance for vulnerable persons, as constitutional objectives.
SERAP added that Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption required integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
The organisation said disclosing the requested information would enable Nigerians to determine whether the intervention was being administered fairly, whether public funds were properly accounted for and whether adequate safeguards existed against corruption and political manipulation.
It asked the minister to provide the requested information and implement the proposed accountability measures within seven days of receiving or being notified of the letter.
SERAP warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would compel it to consider legal action against the ministry and other relevant authorities to enforce their constitutional and statutory obligations.
The organisation maintained that although financial assistance to Nigerians facing poverty and economic hardship was necessary, a programme involving public funds and the personal information of vulnerable households must operate under transparent rules, objective eligibility requirements and independent oversight.
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