“₦50,000 Won’t Address Nigerians’ Suffering” – Economist Questions Tinubu’s Relief Payment

According to a report by Daily Post on Tuesday November 10, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is facing questions over the transparency, sustainability and effectiveness of its N50,000 cash transfer programme for vulnerable Nigerians, with Transparency International Nigeria, an economist and other citizens raising concerns about the intervention.

The concerns centre on how beneficiaries are selected, the source of funding, the programme’s duration and whether the financial assistance can meaningfully reduce poverty, particularly as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices and the increasing cost of living.

The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), which began last month, was introduced to provide immediate financial support to vulnerable households struggling with economic difficulties.

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, responsible for implementing the initiative, said beneficiaries were drawn from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.

The Federal Government also identified five participating banks and digital payment platforms, including OPay, through which qualified recipients can access the payments. Designated Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes were also provided to facilitate transactions.

However, the intervention has generated questions about whether the N50,000 payment is sufficient to ease the financial difficulties facing millions of Nigerians.

An economist who spoke to DAILY POST acknowledged that any government initiative capable of providing immediate assistance to struggling citizens should be welcomed, given the country’s prevailing economic conditions.

He, however, argued that the amount being distributed would have limited impact on the wider poverty situation and the rising cost of living.

“Whatever the case, whatever will relieve Nigerians and give them actual relief is a welcome development because Nigerians are going through harsh and difficult times,” he told DAILY POST.

“But we don’t think N50,000 will address the suffering of Nigerians.”

The concerns have also renewed questions about the programme’s long-term impact and its ability to deliver meaningful economic relief to vulnerable households.

Mosixroyal247coverage feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com