The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Federal Government seven days to disclose details of the ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) grant, amid growing complaints from beneficiaries who say they have received notification messages but cannot access or withdraw their payments.
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In a Freedom of Information (FOI) request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to disclose the programme’s funding, beneficiaries, payments and contracts with participating financial service providers.
Key Highlights
- SERAP gives the Federal Government seven days to disclose details of the NERSI ₦50,000 grant.
- The organisation demands transparency over funding, beneficiaries and payment arrangements.
- Beneficiaries report delays and difficulties accessing or withdrawing their grants.
- SERAP raises concerns about possible political interference ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The organisation threatens legal action if the government fails to respond under the Freedom of Information Act.
SERAP Demands Transparency Over NERSI ₦50,000 Grant
SERAP is demanding comprehensive information about the financial management and implementation of the NERSI programme, which was introduced to provide financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
The organisation wants the Federal Government to disclose the total budgetary allocations for the initiative, funds released so far and the amount spent on the programme.
It is also requesting details of the eligibility requirements, verification procedures and the geographical distribution of beneficiaries, including state, local government and ward-level breakdowns where possible.
Another major concern raised by SERAP is the duration of the intervention. The organisation wants the government to clarify whether the ₦50,000 payment is a one-off grant or an ongoing monthly intervention.
SERAP is equally demanding full disclosure of agreements with the five approved digital financial service providers, including their responsibilities, service charges, performance standards and measures put in place to protect beneficiaries’ personal information.
The organisation further warned against possible political manipulation of the programme ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that assistance must be distributed strictly according to need rather than political affiliation.
What Nigerians Should Know About the NERSI ₦50,000 Grant
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention was announced by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction on October 30, 2026, as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
Under the initiative, selected vulnerable Nigerians are entitled to receive ₦50,000 as a grant, not a loan. Beneficiaries are not expected to repay the money or pay registration fees to access it.
The government says beneficiaries are selected automatically through the National Social Register and verified National Identification Number (NIN) records, with coverage across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
There is no public application process, and Nigerians have been warned against individuals or websites demanding money in exchange for registration or guaranteed selection.
The five approved payment providers are:
- ALAT by Wema Bank – *94523# or *945*23#
- MoMo PSB – *671*0# or *6710#
- NairaGram – *72600# or *726*00#
- OPay – *955*20#
- Moniepoint – *5573*27# or *557327#
Selected beneficiaries are expected to receive SMS notifications from their assigned payment providers, after which they can follow the instructions and provide consent through the designated USSD channels.
The funds are subsequently credited to linked mobile wallets, with withdrawals expected through supported POS agents, bank transfers, mobile applications and USSD services.
However, uncertainty surrounding the duration of the intervention has generated questions, particularly after earlier government communications described the assistance as monthly.
Beneficiaries Raise Alarm Over Failed NERSI Payments
While the Federal Government has maintained that the NERSI payment process is automated, several Nigerians have taken to social media platform X to complain about difficulties accessing their ₦50,000 grants.
Some beneficiaries claimed they received multiple SMS notifications from their assigned payment providers, completed the required USSD procedures and gave consent, but their accounts remained unfunded days later.
One complainant reportedly received several notifications from MoMo PSB on November 1, 7 and 8, opened an account and completed the consent process but had yet to receive the money.
Another beneficiary claimed it had been 10 days since receiving a notification from MoMo PSB without any payment, despite reports that other users had successfully received their grants.
There have also been complaints involving NairaGram, with some users alleging that although their funds appeared to have been credited, they could not withdraw the money.
Similarly, some Moniepoint beneficiaries reported delays following consent, while others claimed that their funds were visible but inaccessible.
Beyond payment delays, some users have attributed their difficulties to Bank Verification Number (BVN) linkage problems, which they say prevent them from upgrading their accounts to access the funds fully.
The complaints have prompted beneficiaries to tag the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the affected financial service providers on X, demanding urgent intervention and explanations.
Although some Nigerians have confirmed receiving their payments successfully, the contrasting experiences have raised concerns about the consistency of the programme’s phased rollout.
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SERAP Cites Previous Social Intervention Financial Concerns
In making its demands, SERAP also referenced concerns raised in the Auditor-General’s 2024 report, which reportedly identified more than ₦78.8 billion in unaccounted funds associated with previous social intervention programmes.
The organisation specifically highlighted ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers in 2023 that allegedly lacked proper REMITA records.
SERAP is calling for stronger monitoring of the NERSI programme and urging anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to ensure accountability.
The organisation warned that public funds meant to support vulnerable Nigerians must be properly accounted for and that the government must establish effective mechanisms to prevent diversion, fraud and abuse.
FG Yet to Address Growing Beneficiary Complaints
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has published frequently asked questions directing beneficiaries experiencing payment difficulties to contact their respective financial service providers or the NERSI support line on 0700-022-2222.
The Ministry has also reiterated that the grant is free and that beneficiaries should not pay anyone to access the money, although normal POS withdrawal charges may apply.
However, continuing complaints about delayed payments and inaccessible funds have intensified demands for greater transparency and accountability.
With SERAP’s seven-day ultimatum beginning from its November 7 request, attention is now on the Federal Government to provide the requested information, address reported payment failures and clarify the programme’s funding and duration.
SERAP has warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period could result in legal action under the Freedom of Information Act.
The outcome of the demand could have significant implications for public confidence in the NERSI ₦50,000 grant scheme and the management of future government social intervention programmes.
For the latest updates on NERSI payments and other government grants, follow us on X.
