SERAP Seeks Public Breakdown of Federal ₦50,000 Relief Scheme
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the Federal Government to publish detailed information about the ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention.
The request was addressed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, through a Freedom of Information request dated 7 November 2026.
SERAP is seeking figures for budget allocations, funds released and spent, the number and geographic distribution of beneficiaries, eligibility rules and the organisations responsible for processing payments.
The advocacy group also wants the government to explain the safeguards intended to prevent political interference and to invite anti-corruption agencies to monitor implementation.
What the government says about NERSI
Information published by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs says the programme selects beneficiaries from verified national identity records and the National Social Register. Selected households receive ₦50,000 through a mobile wallet.
The ministry says people cannot apply or pay to be placed on the list and that successful beneficiaries are contacted through an SMS from the relevant provider.
SERAP’s request raises additional questions about the programme’s total size, duration, payment frequency and handling of complaints from people who received notifications but were unable to access funds.
A request, not a finding of wrongdoing
No court or investigative agency has established that the programme’s funds have been misappropriated. SERAP’s action is a transparency request and warning about potential risks, not proof of corruption.
Public disclosure of anonymised payment totals by state and local government area could allow scrutiny without exposing beneficiaries’ sensitive personal information. Clear complaint and appeal procedures would also help people challenge failed payments or incorrect exclusions.
Sources: Federal ministry’s NERSI information page; Guardian report on the FOI request; Independent report on SERAP’s request.
Featured image: illustrative documents photograph by Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash. It is not an image of NERSI beneficiary records.