NERSI Transparency Row: SERAP Gives FG Seven Days To Disclose ₦50,000 Beneficiaries
By TIMOTHY HAGGERTY-NWOKOLO
SERAP Raises Accountability Concerns Over FG’s ₦50,000 NERSI Programme
THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has challenged the Federal Government to provide full details of its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), warning that weak transparency could expose the programme to corruption, exclusion and political manipulation.
The organisation has asked the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to publish the beneficiary list, disclose the programme’s finances and explain the safeguards governing the distribution of public funds.
Its demand comes amid questions about who qualifies for the assistance, how authorities select recipients and whether the payment system is working effectively.
Funding & Eligibility Questions Remain Unanswered
SERAP made its demands in a Freedom of Information request dated 7 November 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The organisation recalled that the ministry announced NERSI on 30 October 2026, as a financial assistance programme offering ₦50,000 to vulnerable Nigerians. Nevertheless, it argued that the announcement left several important implementation details unclear.
Among other things, SERAP wants the government to disclose the total budget, allocations, funds released and expenditure records. It also requested the number of intended beneficiaries, eligibility criteria and the procedures for selecting and verifying recipients.
Equally important, the organisation wants a geographical breakdown showing the number of beneficiaries across states, local government areas and, where available, wards.
It also questioned the programme’s payment schedule. While the ministry’s announcement described the ₦50,000 assistance as a monthly payment, SERAP said the subsequent frequently asked questions did not clearly establish how frequently or how long recipients would receive the money.
Anti-Corruption Agencies Urged to Monitor Implementation
To strengthen public confidence, SERAP has asked the minister to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the intervention.
The organisation wants both agencies to examine programme expenditure, investigate allegations of corruption and help ensure that the money reaches eligible households.
According to SERAP, citizens must be able to assess whether the government has properly accounted for the funds and whether the intervention is reaching those who genuinely need assistance.
Furthermore, it argued that publishing beneficiary information in an appropriate, privacy-conscious format would allow Nigerians to scrutinise the programme without exposing recipients to unnecessary risks.
2027 Elections Raise Political Neutrality Concerns
A major concern in SERAP’s request is the possibility of political interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation insisted that public assistance must follow objective eligibility standards rather than political affiliation or loyalty. It warned that authorities must not use NERSI to reward supporters, mobilise voters or influence electoral decisions among economically vulnerable citizens.
Consequently, SERAP wants the ministry to prohibit any requirement or pressure compelling beneficiaries to attend political rallies, support candidates, display party materials or demonstrate allegiance to political office-holders.
It also requested records of any political actors’ involvement in beneficiary selection and payment processes. In addition, the organisation wants information on access to beneficiary databases, the use of public resources to promote the scheme and complaints or investigations involving alleged partisan influence.
SERAP stressed that public funds cannot become the personal property of political leaders or a tool for securing electoral support.
Digital Payment Arrangements Under Scrutiny
The organisation has also raised concerns about the digital financial service providers engaged to administer NERSI payments.
It specifically requested information on agreements involving ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. The disclosure should cover their respective roles, service fees and performance in handling the intervention.
Meanwhile, SERAP cited reports that some Nigerians received notifications indicating that they qualified for the ₦50,000 assistance but could not access or withdraw the money. Others reportedly received messages declaring them ineligible.
These experiences, it argued, raise questions about the accuracy of beneficiary verification and the reliability of payment arrangements.
The organisation therefore wants the ministry to investigate failed transactions and disputed eligibility decisions, publish its findings and establish effective complaint-resolution procedures.
National Databases & Personal Information Require Protection
Another issue concerns the use of the National Social Register and verified national identity records to identify eligible recipients.
SERAP wants the ministry to explain how it uses these databases and what safeguards protect the personal information of vulnerable households.
Although public disclosure is necessary for accountability, the organisation argued that authorities must also respect beneficiaries’ privacy. Accordingly, it called for anonymised and aggregated information that allows independent scrutiny without exposing sensitive personal records.
It further wants the government to disclose the total number of beneficiaries selected and verified, broken down by state and local government area, alongside the amounts already paid or scheduled for payment.
SERAP Threatens Legal Action Over Non-Disclosure
SERAP gave the minister seven days from receipt or publication of its 7th November letter to provide the requested information and address the identified concerns.
The organisation warned that it would consider appropriate legal action if the ministry failed to respond within the stipulated period. Such action, it said, would seek to compel the relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional and statutory obligations.
While acknowledging the importance of financial assistance for Nigerians facing poverty and economic hardship, SERAP maintained that social protection programmes require clear rules, independent oversight and transparent administration.
Ultimately, the organisation’s demand goes beyond publishing names. It seeks verifiable information about public expenditure, fair beneficiary selection, reliable payments, data protection and political neutrality.
For NERSI to command public confidence, the government must demonstrate that the intervention serves vulnerable Nigerians according to genuine need and that every public resource committed to it receives proper accountability.
