“Nigerians Have A Right To Know How NERSI Funds Are Spent” — SERAP Demands Disclosure Of ₦50,000 Relief Payments, Threatens Legal Action

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, to disclose details of the funding, implementation and administration of the ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), warning against the use of the programme to reward political supporters or influence voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SERAP also called on the minister to publicly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the programme’s implementation, investigate allegations of corruption and ensure that the funds reach their intended beneficiaries.

In a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation demanded disclosure of the programme’s budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility criteria, beneficiary selection and verification processes, and geographical distribution of beneficiaries.

The organisation also asked the ministry to clarify whether the ₦50,000 assistance would be paid monthly or as a one-off intervention, noting inconsistencies in the information provided to the public.

The request followed the ministry’s October 30, 2026, announcement of NERSI, a social assistance programme designed to provide ₦50,000 in financial support to vulnerable Nigerians.

According to SERAP, important questions remain unanswered concerning the programme’s total funding, intended beneficiaries, duration, geographical coverage and the involvement of digital financial service providers.

“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 stated.

The organisation warned that publicly funded social assistance must not be converted into an instrument of political patronage or electoral influence.

“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 further insisted that beneficiaries must not be compelled to demonstrate political loyalty before receiving government assistance.

“Beneficiaries must not be required or encouraged to attend political rallies, support political 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 organisation added.

SERAP gave the minister seven days from receipt or publication of its letter to provide the requested information and take the necessary measures, warning that failure to comply could result in legal proceedings.

“We would be grateful if the requested information and measures are provided and taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel the Ministry and other relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations and ensure the proper, transparent and accountable implementation of NERSI in the public interest,” it stated.

The organisation also expressed concern over complaints from Nigerians who allegedly received notifications confirming their eligibility for the ₦50,000 assistance but were unable to access or withdraw the funds.

It noted that some prospective beneficiaries encountered messages indicating that they were not eligible, raising questions about the reliability of the payment system and beneficiary verification arrangements.

“SERAP is also concerned by reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 assistance have been unable to access or withdraw the funds, while others reportedly encountered messages indicating that they were not eligible,” the organisation stated.

It urged the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their payments.

The organisation also demanded disclosure of agreements between the ministry and digital financial service providers engaged to administer NERSI payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.

SERAP said Nigerians deserved to know the roles, fees and performance of the financial service providers, including the arrangements for independently verifying payments and resolving disputed transactions.

It further called for transparency in the use of the National Social Register and verified national identity records in selecting beneficiaries.

According to the organisation, the ministry should disclose the methodology used to identify and verify eligible recipients, including the total number of beneficiaries selected and verified across states and local government areas and, where appropriate, wards.

SERAP also demanded an anonymised breakdown of the number of beneficiaries and the total amounts paid or scheduled for payment in each state and local government area.

The organisation stressed that personal information obtained from vulnerable Nigerians must be protected through appropriate data-protection safeguards while allowing sufficient public scrutiny of the programme.

It further asked the ministry to disclose any records concerning the involvement of political actors in beneficiary selection, access to beneficiary databases, the use of public resources to promote the programme, and complaints or investigations relating to possible partisan influence.

SERAP expressed concern that the ministry’s initial public statement described the ₦50,000 assistance as a monthly payment, while its subsequent frequently asked questions did not clearly specify the frequency or duration of the intervention.

It maintained that the uncertainty surrounding the payment arrangements, selection criteria and funding made it difficult for Nigerians to determine whether the programme was being implemented fairly.

The organisation also referred to concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report over more than ₦78.8 billion in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes.

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General identified concerns involving ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records and other supporting documentation were allegedly not provided for audit.

It argued that the findings reinforced the need for stronger financial controls, proper record-keeping, independent verification and effective oversight of the new relief intervention.

SERAP acknowledged the importance of providing financial assistance to Nigerians experiencing poverty and economic hardship but insisted that such programmes must operate under clear rules and transparent procedures.

The organisation relied on Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires the state to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power, and Section 16(2)(b), which provides for the distribution of material resources in a manner that serves the common good.

It also cited Section 13, which imposes responsibilities on public authorities to observe the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution, and Section 17(3)(d), which addresses social welfare objectives, including adequate food, minimum living wages, pensions, unemployment benefits and welfare for persons with disabilities.

SERAP further noted Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

The organisation maintained that disclosing the requested information would strengthen public confidence in social protection programmes, help prevent corruption and political interference, and ensure that resources intended for vulnerable Nigerians reach those who genuinely need them.

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