The Federal Government has announced plans to commence monthly cash transfers of N50,000 to selected vulnerable households across the country under its National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, explaining that the intervention was designed to cushion the effects of rising living costs on vulnerable Nigerians.
According to the minister, eligible beneficiaries would receive text messages from designated telecommunications network providers requesting their consent before payments are made directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.
Clarifying the authenticity of the notifications, Doro said beneficiaries should not disregard the messages.
“This message is genuine. Once consent is given, payment is made directly to the beneficiary’s account/mobile wallet,” he said.
The minister explained that NERSI complements existing government social protection and economic support programmes, providing immediate financial relief while strengthening household resilience and economic stability.
He said the intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the ministry’s commitment to addressing the economic difficulties confronting vulnerable households.
“We recognise the challenges many Nigerians are facing. The ministry is committed to delivering this intervention with dignity, transparency and accountability,” he said.
Doro also warned prospective beneficiaries against fraudsters seeking to exploit the programme, stressing that eligible households were not required to submit applications, pay fees or register through agents to access the assistance.
“Never share your PIN or BVN with anyone,” he cautioned.
He advised Nigerians who have doubts about messages purportedly relating to the programme, or who are asked to make payments before receiving assistance, to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
The minister further disclosed that the programme would undergo periodic reviews to accommodate changes in the cost of living, with beneficiaries to be notified directly before any adjustments are implemented.
According to information published on the NERSI portal, beneficiaries are selected through verified national identity records and the National Social Register, with priority given to poor and vulnerable households.
The portal identifies ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo Payment Service Bank and NairaGram as approved payment service providers.
It also indicates that the intervention will be implemented in phases, meaning beneficiaries may receive their notifications at different times.
Under the programme’s published guidelines, recipients can access their funds through mobile wallets, transfer the money into bank accounts or withdraw through authorised agents, subject to applicable transaction charges.
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely only on official communication channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent cash transfer schemes.
