ABUJA, Nigeria — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded details of the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 cash relief programme for vulnerable Nigerians.
The organisation wants the government to disclose how much money has been allocated, who is receiving the payments, and how beneficiaries are selected.
It has also called for safeguards to prevent the funds from being used for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a Freedom of Information request dated Saturday, November 7, 2026, and e-mailed to The Trent on Sunday, SERAP gave the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, seven days to provide the information or face possible legal action.
The request concerns the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), announced by the ministry on October 30 to provide financial assistance to Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
Questions Over Funding and Eligibility
The ministry’s original announcement described NERSI as a programme that would provide ₦50,000 monthly to eligible households.
However, a subsequent official explanation referred to the assistance as a grant without specifying how long payments would continue.
SERAP wants the ministry to clarify whether beneficiaries will receive a single payment or regular monthly assistance.
It also requested the total programme budget, amounts released and spent, the number of intended beneficiaries, and the geographical distribution of recipients.
The organisation said the selection process should be transparent enough for the public to assess whether assistance was reaching households most in need.
“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.
The request was signed by the organisation’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
Beneficiaries Report Difficulties Accessing Money
SERAP also raised concerns about complaints from Nigerians who said they had been notified of their eligibility but could not access the promised money.
Others reportedly received messages indicating that they did not qualify for the programme.
The organisation questioned whether the payment system had adequate procedures for verifying beneficiaries and resolving failed transactions.
It urged the ministry to investigate the complaints and publish its findings.
According to the ministry’s official NERSI guidelines, beneficiaries are identified using the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
Selected individuals receive text messages from authorised digital financial service providers. They must consent before the money is credited to a mobile wallet.
The ministry says no application or registration is required, and beneficiaries should not pay anyone to receive the assistance.
However, SERAP wants an explanation of the verification process, the total number of people selected, and the arrangements for addressing disputed or unsuccessful payments.
Group Warns Against Political Use of Relief Funds
A major concern in SERAP’s request is the possibility of political interference.
The organisation wants clear measures preventing public assistance from being tied to support for President Bola Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress, or any other political organisation.
It said the programme must not be used to influence voters before the 2027 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,” SERAP said.
The organisation also warned against requiring beneficiaries to attend political rallies, display campaign materials, or demonstrate loyalty to political candidates.
It requested records showing whether politicians or their representatives had participated in beneficiary selection or gained access to payment databases.
SERAP has not established that NERSI funds have been diverted for political purposes. Its request seeks information and safeguards intended to prevent such misuse.
SERAP Demands Disclosure of Payment Contracts
The organisation also wants the government to publish agreements with the financial technology companies administering the programme.
The providers identified in the ministry’s guidelines are ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint.
SERAP requested details of their contracts, fees, responsibilities, and performance.
It also called for independent verification of payments to establish whether funds had reached the intended recipients.
The organisation wants anonymised figures showing the number of beneficiaries and amounts paid in each state and local government area.
Where appropriate, it said, the breakdown should extend to electoral wards.
SERAP also raised concerns about the use of personal information obtained from the National Social Register and national identity databases.
It urged the ministry to explain how the records are accessed, processed, and protected against unauthorised disclosure.
The organisation said public scrutiny should not expose beneficiaries’ private information.
Previous Audit Raises Accountability Concerns
SERAP cited earlier findings by the Auditor-General of the Federation to support its call for stronger financial controls.
It referred to concerns in the 2024 Annual Report involving more than ₦78.8 billion in social intervention funds allegedly diverted or insufficiently accounted for.
The report also identified shortcomings in the documentation of ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023.
According to an examination of the audit, auditors could not adequately establish that the payments reached the intended households because supporting records, including relevant Remita documentation, were not provided.
Those findings concerned earlier programmes, not NERSI.
SERAP said they demonstrated the importance of establishing effective controls before substantial public funds were distributed.
It called for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor NERSI’s implementation and investigate any allegations of corruption.
Seven-Day Deadline for Government Response
SERAP argued that the Federal Government has constitutional and statutory responsibilities to manage public resources transparently.
It cited provisions of the Nigerian Constitution concerning the prevention of corruption, equitable distribution of resources, and the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
The organisation also referred to Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
SERAP said it recognised the importance of providing financial assistance to households experiencing economic hardship.
However, it maintained that such programmes must operate under clear eligibility rules, reliable payment systems, and independent oversight.
The organisation gave Doro seven days from receipt or publication of its request to provide the information and take the proposed measures.
“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 said.
The ministry has publicly explained the programme’s eligibility and payment procedures but has not provided the full financial and administrative details requested by SERAP.
