FG’s ₦50,000 relief: SERAP demands full list of payments, beneficiaries as questions mount

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal Government to disclose how much money has been allocated to its ₦50,000 relief programme, how beneficiaries are selected and whether the financial assistance is reaching vulnerable Nigerians.

The organisation made the demand in a Freedom of Information request addressed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, over the implementation of the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).

The request, dated November 7, 2026, was signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

According to the organisation, the government should provide information about the programme’s funding, beneficiary selection, payments, financial service providers and safeguards against political interference.

SERAP also called for independent monitoring by anti-corruption agencies to ensure that public funds reach their intended recipients.

The demand follows the Federal Government’s October 30 announcement that eligible Nigerians would receive ₦50,000 in financial support to cushion the effects of rising living costs.

However, questions remain about the programme’s total budget, number of beneficiaries, payment frequency and independently verified disbursements.

SERAP argued that Nigerians have a right to know how public resources allocated to the intervention are being spent.

The organisation asked the ministry to disclose the total amount budgeted for NERSI, funds released and amounts already expended.

It also requested information about the number of beneficiaries selected and verified, alongside the geographical distribution of payments.

According to SERAP, the government should provide anonymised figures showing how many people have benefited in each state and local government area.

Such information would help the public assess whether the intervention is reaching communities experiencing significant economic hardship.

The organisation also asked for details of the criteria and methodology used to identify beneficiaries from the National Social Register and verified identity records.

Although the ministry says selection is automated and based on poverty and vulnerability, the published clarification does not provide a detailed public breakdown of the screening methodology.

One major issue identified by SERAP concerns the frequency of the relief payment.

When the programme was announced on October 30, the minister described NERSI as providing ₦50,000 monthly to eligible beneficiaries.

The ministry’s subsequent clarification, however, describes the support as a ₦50,000 grant without clearly specifying the number of payment cycles or the duration of the intervention.

SERAP asked the government to clarify whether the assistance is intended as a one-off payment or a recurring monthly programme.

The distinction matters because the financial implications would differ significantly depending on the number of beneficiaries and payment cycles.

For example, paying ₦50,000 to one million beneficiaries would require ₦50 billion for a single payment cycle.

If the same number received the money every month for a year, the total would rise to ₦600 billion, excluding administrative costs.

These figures are illustrative calculations, not confirmed NERSI expenditure or beneficiary totals.

The government has not published sufficient verified figures to establish the programme’s total financial commitments.

SERAP also requested information about agreements between the government and the financial service providers involved in the programme.

According to the ministry, the five approved providers are ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo Payment Service Bank, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.

These institutions are responsible for contacting selected beneficiaries and facilitating payments through mobile wallets.

SERAP asked the ministry to disclose the roles, fees and performance of the participating providers.

The organisation argued that transparency over the agreements would help establish whether public funds are being administered efficiently.

It also called for stronger mechanisms to address failed transactions, disputed payments and wrongful exclusions.

The request followed reports that some Nigerians had received notifications but were unable to access or withdraw their grants.

However, the number of affected individuals has not been independently established.

The civil society organisation called on the Federal Government to involve the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in monitoring the programme.

SERAP said independent oversight would help prevent corruption, political interference and diversion of funds.

It expressed particular concern about the need to protect the intervention from partisan influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the organisation, beneficiaries should not be required to attend political rallies, support candidates or demonstrate political loyalty before receiving government assistance.

The group argued that NERSI should be administered according to objective eligibility criteria.

It also referenced reported concerns in the Auditor-General’s 2024 report about the administration of previous social intervention funds.

Those historical concerns were cited by SERAP as reasons for stronger safeguards; they do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing under NERSI.

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction maintains that NERSI beneficiaries are selected through established poverty and vulnerability criteria.

According to the ministry, the process uses the National Social Register and verified national identity records.

The government says selection covers all six geopolitical zones and cannot be influenced by politicians, officials or agents.

It has also stated that beneficiaries are not required to apply or pay fees to receive the grant.

In his October 30 announcement, Doro said the ministry was committed to delivering the intervention transparently and accountably.

However, a commitment to transparency is different from the publication of independently verifiable financial and operational records.

SERAP’s request seeks those records so that the programme’s performance can be assessed beyond official assurances.

SERAP requested a response within seven days of receiving or publishing its November 7 Freedom of Information request.

The organisation warned that it could consider legal action if the government failed to provide the requested information.

As of November 12, the seven-day period had not elapsed.

The available official statements confirm the programme’s announced objectives, selection approach and payment channels, but do not provide a complete independently verified account of disbursements.

The ministry has also not established, through the sources reviewed, that the anti-corruption agencies requested by SERAP have formally begun monitoring NERSI.

Further information is available in the minister’s October 30 announcement and SERAP’s reported Freedom of Information request.

For Nigerians hoping to benefit from the intervention, the central question is whether the programme can demonstrate that the ₦50,000 payments are reaching the people for whom they were intended.