BY AHMED AKANBI
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to publicly disclose details of the Federal Government’s N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), including beneficiaries, selection process, payments, and contracts with digital financial service providers.
SERAP also urged Tinubu to direct the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, to disclose the programme’s funding, implementation and administration, amid concerns over payment failures, beneficiary verification and possible political interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group demanded details of budgetary allocations, funds released and spent, eligibility criteria, beneficiary selection and verification, as well as geographical distribution of beneficiaries.
SERAP asked government to clarify whether the N50,000 is a one-off payment or a monthly intervention, noting that the ministry’s October 30 announcement described it as monthly, while its subsequent FAQ document did not clearly specify frequency and duration.
The group further urged Tinubu to publicly invite the ICPC and EFCC to monitor implementation and expenditure, investigate allegations of corruption and ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries.
“Nigerians have a right to know how public funds allocated to NERSI are being spent, who is receiving the assistance, how beneficiaries are selected and whether the programme is reaching those most in need,” SERAP said.
It warned against using the poverty intervention to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty, finance political mobilisation or influence electoral choices of vulnerable Nigerians ahead of 2027.
“Publicly funded social assistance must be allocated strictly on the basis of genuine need and objective eligibility criteria. It must not be used to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty, finance political mobilisation or influence the electoral choices of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections,” it said.
SERAP insisted beneficiaries must not be compelled to attend political rallies, support parties or candidates, display political materials or demonstrate political loyalty as a condition for receiving 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 group stated.
It expressed concern over reports that some Nigerians notified of the N50,000 assistance could not access or withdraw the funds, while others received messages saying they were not eligible.
“The Ministry should urgently investigate these complaints, publish its findings and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance intended for them,” SERAP demanded.
The group specifically requested disclosure of agreements with digital financial service providers engaged to administer payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint, covering their roles, contractual obligations, fees and performance.
SERAP also called for transparency in the use of the National Social Register and national identity records to identify beneficiaries, warning the process must be governed by clear rules and data-protection safeguards, with an anonymised breakdown by state, local government and ward.
It further raised concerns about independent oversight, citing the Auditor-General’s 2024 report on over N78.8 billion allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in social intervention programmes, including N33.751 billion in 2023 cash transfers without REMITA records.
SERAP gave the minister seven days to provide the information and implement accountability measures, warning it would consider legal action if government failed to comply.