The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a cash assistance programme under which eligible vulnerable households are to receive ₦50,000 every month as part of efforts to ease pressure from rising food prices and other essential expenses.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, said the National Emergency Relief and Stabilization Intervention (NERSI) is intended to deliver immediate support while helping families regain economic stability. The ministry said the payment level would be reviewed periodically in response to changes in living costs.
According to the ministry, licensed digital financial service providers will contact identified beneficiaries by text message to obtain consent before making payments into bank accounts or mobile wallets. The government has not announced a general application process, and beneficiaries are not required to pay fees or register through agents.
Doro cautioned Nigerians against scams, stressing that recipients should never disclose their PINs or Bank Verification Numbers. The ministry identified 0700-022-2222 as the programme helpline and said the intervention would complement existing social protection initiatives. Details of beneficiary selection, total budget and programme duration were not provided in the announcement.
