FG clarifies how beneficiaries emerge for N50,000 NERSI relief fund

Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has clarified the selection process for the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, NERSI, an intervention programme meant to support vulnerable households amid rising living costs.

In a statement signed on Friday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Janet Mcdickson Noah, the ministry said the clarification became necessary to help Nigerians understand the intervention and guard against misinformation.

According to the ministry, beneficiaries are picked from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, using poverty and vulnerability criteria.

“The selection covers all six geopolitical zones of the country. There is no application or registration exercise for the programme, and no individual or agent can influence who is selected.

“Each beneficiary will receive N50,000 as a grant, not a loan, and does not require repayment.

“Selected beneficiaries will be notified through an SMS from one of the authorised digital financial service providers”, it explained.

The ministry also warned beneficiaries not to share their Personal Identification Number, PIN, One-Time Password, OTP, or Bank Verification Number, BVN, with anyone.

“For enquiries or complaints, beneficiaries were advised to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222”, the ministry said.

The Humanitarian Affairs Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the intervention with transparency, accountability and dignity, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.