The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a new monthly cash relief programme offering ₦50,000 to eligible vulnerable households across Nigeria, in a move aimed at cushioning the effects of rising food prices and the increasing cost of living.
The intervention, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is a presidential initiative announced by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, on Friday, October 30, 2026.
According to the minister, the programme is designed to provide immediate financial assistance to millions of vulnerable Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of essential goods and services.
Under the initiative, eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive ₦50,000 monthly to help them meet basic household needs and reduce the financial pressure caused by rising living expenses.
HOW WILL BENEFICIARIES RECEIVE THE ₦50,000?
The Federal Government says beneficiaries do not need to submit applications or register through agents to access the intervention.
Instead, selected beneficiaries will receive text messages from approved digital financial service providers requesting their consent before payments are processed.
Once consent is obtained, the money will be paid directly into beneficiaries’ designated bank accounts or mobile wallets.
NO APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION FEE
The minister specifically warned Nigerians against fraudsters seeking to exploit the programme.
He emphasised that:
- Beneficiaries do not need to apply for the programme.
- Nobody is authorised to collect registration fees.
- There is no need to pay agents to secure a place on the beneficiary list.
- Beneficiaries must never disclose their ATM PINs or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to anyone.
- Payments will be made directly after the beneficiary’s consent has been obtained.
The ministry also advised Nigerians who receive suspicious messages or encounter anyone demanding money to access the intervention to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
WHAT NIGERIANS SHOULD KNOW
The NERSI programme is intended to complement existing Federal Government social protection and economic support interventions.
The minister said the programme would be reviewed periodically in response to changes in the cost of living, with beneficiaries notified directly before any adjustments to the payments.
The initiative is aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is intended to strengthen household resilience amid continuing economic pressures.