The Federal Government has launched a monthly cash assistance programme that will provide ₦50,000 to eligible vulnerable households to help them cope with rising living costs.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the initiative in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, October 30.
Known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), the programme is a presidential initiative intended to provide immediate financial support to millions of Nigerians facing economic difficulties.
Doro said the intervention was introduced in response to global food inflation and increasing prices of essential commodities, which have continued to put pressure on household finances.
“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,” he said.
The minister explained that the amount would be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in the cost of living. He added that beneficiaries would be informed directly before any adjustment was made.
READ ALSO: SERAP Sues FG At ECOWAS Court Over N78.8bn Cash Transfer Funds
According to him, the ministry is partnering with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure that payments are made securely, promptly and transparently.
He said beneficiaries would receive text messages from the service providers seeking their consent before the money is transferred into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.
Doro emphasised that Nigerians do not need to submit applications, pay fees or register through intermediaries to qualify for the support.
He also cautioned the public against fraudsters who might attempt to exploit the programme, warning beneficiaries not to disclose their personal identification numbers (PINs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs).
“If you are unsure about any message, or anyone asks you for money, call the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222,” he said.
The minister described NERSI as a complementary intervention to existing Federal Government social protection and economic support schemes, noting that it was designed to strengthen household resilience and promote economic stability.
He said the programme was consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing it with dignity, transparency and accountability.