Get Guardian on GoogleSocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government to disclose details of the funding, selection of beneficiaries and disbursement of the N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), warning against possible political interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation also called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to 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.
SERAP made the demands in a Freedom of Information request at the weekend, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The request followed the ministry’s public announcement on October 30, 2026, introducing NERSI to provide N50,000 financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.
SERAP said important questions remained unanswered regarding the programme’s total funding, geographical coverage, duration, number of intended beneficiaries and the methodology for identifying eligible recipients through the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
It asked the minister to disclose budgetary allocations, funds released and expended, eligibility requirements, beneficiary verification procedures and the geographical distribution of recipients.
SERAP further expressed concern over reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the assistance had been unable to access or withdraw the money, while others reportedly received messages indicating that they were ineligible.
It urged the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and ensure that all qualified beneficiaries receive the assistance.
On the possibility of political interference, SERAP warned that publicly funded social assistance must be distributed strictly according to genuine needs and objective eligibility criteria.
