The Federal Government has commenced a new cash transfer programme offering N50,000 monthly to vulnerable Nigerians under its National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of the programme in a statement on Friday.
Doro said the Presidential initiative was designed to provide immediate financial relief to millions of vulnerable households facing rising food prices and the high cost of essential goods.
Under the programme, eligible beneficiaries will receive N50,000 monthly to help them meet basic needs and cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The minister said the intervention would be reviewed regularly in response to changes in the cost of living, adding that beneficiaries would be notified directly before any adjustments were made.
He explained that the ministry was partnering with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure secure, timely and transparent disbursement of funds.
According to him, beneficiaries would receive text messages from the service providers requesting their consent before payments are made directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.
Doro urged Nigerians to disregard fraudulent messages, stressing that beneficiaries were not required to apply, pay any fees or register through agents to access the intervention.
“Under this intervention, eligible beneficiaries will receive N50,000 monthly, providing direct assistance to help meet essential needs and ease the burden of living costs. The initiative will be reviewed regularly in light of changes in the cost of living, and beneficiaries will be notified directly before any change.
“To ensure funds are delivered securely, quickly and transparently, the Ministry is working with licensed digital financial service providers. Beneficiaries will receive an SMS from one of these providers asking for their consent. This message is genuine. Once consent is given, payment is made directly to the beneficiary’s account/mobile wallet,” Doro said
He also warned beneficiaries against sharing their personal identification numbers (PINs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) with anyone.
The minister advised Nigerians who were uncertain about messages relating to the programme or were asked to make payments to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
He added that NERSI complements the Federal Government’s existing social protection and economic support programmes and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Further information about the programme is available on the ministry’s website.
