The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro “to disclose details of the funding, implementation and administration of the N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), including beneficiary selection, payments, contracts with digital financial service providers and safeguards against political interference.”
SERAP made the demand in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
It gave the minister seven days to provide the requested information, warning that it could institute legal action if the ministry failed to comply.
The request follows the ministry’s October 30, 2026, announcement of NERSI, a government intervention designed to provide N50,000 in financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.
However, SERAP said several critical details about the programme remain undisclosed, including its total funding, the number of intended beneficiaries, geographical coverage, duration and criteria for identifying and selecting recipients.
The organisation also raised concerns over what it described as inconsistencies in the ministry’s communication about the frequency of payments.
While the October 30 statement reportedly described the assistance as a monthly payment, a subsequent frequently asked questions document did not clearly specify the payment frequency or duration.
SERAP urged Doro to publish the programme’s budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility criteria, beneficiary selection and verification procedures, as well as the geographical distribution of recipients.
It also asked the ministry to clarify whether the N50,000 assistance would be a one-off payment or a recurring monthly intervention.
In the request, SERAP said Nigerians have the right to know how public funds allocated to NERSI are being spent, who are receiving the assistance and whether the programme is reaching those most in need.
It warned against using the intervention for political patronage or electoral advantage, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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,” the organisation said.
SERAP further insisted that access to the assistance must not be tied to political participation or allegiance.
“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,” it stated, adding that NERSI was a government programme financed with public resources and should not be presented as a personal gift or political benefit from any public office-holder or political party.
To strengthen accountability, SERAP urged 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 and expenditure.
It also called on the agencies to investigate allegations of corruption and help ensure that the funds reached their intended beneficiaries.
The organisation said independent monitoring is necessary to prevent corruption, misappropriation and political interference in the administration of the intervention.
SERAP also demanded disclosure of agreements between the ministry and the digital financial service providers engaged to administer NERSI payments, naming ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
It requested details of the responsibilities, fees and performance of the providers, as well as arrangements for independently verifying payments and resolving complaints.
SERAP expressed concern over reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the N50,000 assistance had been unable to access or withdraw the funds, while others reportedly received messages indicating that they were ineligible.
SERAP said the need for effective financial controls and independent oversight was underscored by concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report over more than N78.8 billion in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes.
It specifically cited concerns over N33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records and other supporting documentation were reportedly not provided for audit.
The organisation said the findings reinforce the need for proper record-keeping, independent verification, financial controls and effective oversight from the outset of NERSI’s implementation.
SERAP cited Sections 13, 15(5), 16(2)(b) and 17(3)(d) of the Nigerian Constitution in support of its demand for transparency and accountability.
It noted that Section 15(5) requires the State to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power, while Section 16(2)(b) provides for the equitable distribution of the nation’s material resources in the interest of the common good.
The organisation also referred to Section 17(3)(d), which outlines the State’s responsibility to promote citizens’ welfare through provisions covering food, minimum living wages, old-age care, unemployment and sick benefits, and assistance for persons with disabilities.
It further cited Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption to promote integrity, accountability and transparency in the management of public affairs and public funds.
SERAP said disclosure of the requested information would enable Nigerians to assess whether NERSI is reaching eligible and vulnerable citizens; whether public funds are being properly accounted for, and whether adequate safeguards exist against corruption, political interference, and misappropriation.
It added that transparency would strengthen public confidence in social protection programmes and help ensure that resources intended for vulnerable Nigerians were used for their stated purpose.
The organisation requested that the minister provide the information and implement the proposed accountability measures within seven days of receiving or the publication of its letter.
It warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to consider appropriate legal action to compel the ministry and other relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations and ensure the transparent and accountable administration of NERSI.
According to the organisation, the complaints raise questions about the accuracy of beneficiary verification, the reliability of payment arrangements and the effectiveness of mechanisms for resolving failed or disputed transactions.
It urged the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance intended for them.
The organisation also sought clarification on how the ministry was using the National Social Register and verified national identity records to identify and authenticate beneficiaries.
It said the process must be governed by clear rules and adequate data-protection safeguards to prevent the misuse of personal information belonging to vulnerable households.
SERAP further requested anonymised and aggregated records showing the number of beneficiaries selected and verified, broken down by State and local government areas and, where available and appropriate, by ward.
It also asked the ministry to disclose the total amounts paid or scheduled for payment in each State and local government area.
In addition, the organisation requested records of any involvement of political actors in beneficiary selection and payments, access to beneficiary databases, the use of public resources to promote the programme, and complaints or investigations relating to alleged partisan influence ahead of the 2027 elections.