The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal Government to disclose details of its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, including funding, beneficiaries, payment arrangements and safeguards against political interference.
SERAP made the demand in a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.
The organisation urged the ministry to provide details of budgetary allocations, funds released and spent, eligibility criteria, beneficiary verification, geographical distribution and the duration of the intervention.
Start tomorrow informed
Save your place for the morning brief. We’ll start emailing when delivery goes live.
Free. Confirm by email. Unsubscribe anytime.
The request follows the ministry’s announcement on October 30 that the programme would provide financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.
SERAP said important questions remained unanswered about the scheme’s funding, coverage and the selection 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,” the organisation said.
It also asked Doro to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to monitor the programme’s implementation, investigate allegations of corruption and ensure that funds reach intended beneficiaries.
SERAP warned against the use of the intervention to reward political supporters or influence electoral choices 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 said.
The organisation stressed that beneficiaries should not be required to attend political rallies, support candidates, display political materials or demonstrate political loyalty to receive assistance.
It described NERSI as a government programme funded with public resources, rather than a personal gift or political benefit from an office-holder or party.
SERAP also raised concerns over reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 assistance had been unable to access or withdraw the money, while others were reportedly informed that they were ineligible.
It called on the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance.
The organisation further requested disclosure of agreements with digital financial service providers involved in administering the payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
It sought information on the providers’ roles, fees and performance, alongside details of payment verification and mechanisms for resolving failed transactions and disputed beneficiary selections.
SERAP said the use of the National Social Register and national identity records to identify beneficiaries should be governed by clear rules and data-protection safeguards.
It urged the ministry to publish anonymised and aggregated information on beneficiaries, including figures by state, local government area and, where available, ward.
The group also requested records relating to the involvement of political actors in beneficiary selection, access to beneficiary databases and complaints or investigations concerning partisan influence.
SERAP cited concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report over more than ₦78.8bn in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in social intervention and cash transfer programmes.
It also referred to reported concerns over ₦33.751bn in cash transfers made in 2023 for which supporting documentation, including relevant REMITA records, was allegedly not provided for audit.
The organisation said the findings highlighted the need for financial controls, proper record-keeping, independent verification and effective oversight of the new intervention.
SERAP noted that the ministry’s public statement described the ₦50,000 assistance as a monthly payment, while a subsequent frequently asked questions document did not clearly specify the frequency or duration of payments.
It said disclosure of the requested information would help Nigerians assess whether the programme was being implemented fairly and whether public funds were reaching vulnerable households.
The organisation asked the ministry to provide the information and implement the requested measures within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter.
SERAP warned that it would consider legal action if the ministry failed to comply, saying it would seek to compel relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations.
It cited provisions of the Nigerian Constitution on the abolition of corruption, distribution of public resources for the common good and the state’s social welfare responsibilities.
The organisation also referred to Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption to promote transparency, integrity and accountability in the management of public funds.
Discussion0