The Federal Government has commenced a new monthly cash relief programme offering N50,000 to vulnerable Nigerians as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising food prices and the high cost of essential goods on households.
The intervention, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is a presidential initiative designed to provide immediate financial assistance to millions of vulnerable households and strengthen their ability to cope with economic difficulties.
Bernard Doro, minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, announced the commencement of the programme on Friday, October 30, 2026, saying it would operate through a shock-responsive cash transfer system.
Under the arrangement, eligible beneficiaries will receive N50,000 monthly directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets through licensed digital financial service providers engaged by the ministry.
Doro said the programme was designed to provide direct financial support to households struggling with the rising cost of living, particularly the persistent increase in food prices and other essential commodities.
He explained that the intervention would be reviewed periodically in response to changes in the cost of living, adding that beneficiaries would be notified directly before any adjustment to the payment arrangement.
To facilitate transparent and secure disbursement, the ministry said it was partnering with licensed digital financial service providers, which would contact selected beneficiaries through text messages seeking their consent before payments are processed.
According to the minister, the SMS notifications from the authorised service providers are genuine, and beneficiaries who give their consent will receive payments directly into their designated accounts or mobile wallets.
The commencement of NERSI adds another layer to the Federal Government’s social protection interventions, coming amid persistent concerns over the purchasing power of households and the ability of low-income Nigerians to meet basic needs.
Doro said the initiative complements existing federal social protection and economic support programmes, reflecting the government’s commitment to providing immediate assistance while strengthening household resilience and economic stability under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, the ministry emphasised that beneficiaries would not be required to submit applications, pay registration fees or engage agents to access the support.
It warned Nigerians against falling victim to fraudulent individuals who might exploit the programme to defraud prospective beneficiaries, particularly through requests for payments or sensitive banking information.
The minister specifically cautioned beneficiaries against disclosing their personal identification numbers (PINs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to anyone in connection with the intervention.
He advised Nigerians who receive suspicious messages or encounter individuals demanding money in exchange for access to the programme to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222 for verification and assistance.
Further information and official updates on the programme are available on the ministry’s website at www.fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/.
While the monthly N50,000 support is expected to provide some relief to qualifying households, the effectiveness of the intervention will depend largely on transparent beneficiary selection, timely disbursement and safeguards against fraud and diversion of funds.
