The Federal Government has begun paying ₦50,000 in cash relief to poor and vulnerable households under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has announced.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of the programme in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, October 30, 2026.
He described NERSI as a presidential initiative meant to ease the burden of rising living costs, and said it complements existing federal social protection schemes.
Beneficiaries are drawn from verified national identity records and the National Social Register, according to the ministry’s NERSI website.
The money is paid into bank accounts or mobile wallets, including through digital providers such as OPay, and is a grant that does not have to be repaid. Payments are being made in phases, so beneficiaries will not all be notified at the same time.
The ministry said no one needs to apply, pay a fee or register through an agent to qualify. Dr Doro warned Nigerians against fraudsters and urged them not to share their PINs or BVNs with anyone.
People with doubts can call the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222 or visit www.fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/.
The announcement did not state eligibility criteria, the number of households expected to benefit, or how long the programme will run.
Administrator and Writer
