The Federal Government has commenced a new cash assistance programme aimed at supporting vulnerable households struggling with rising food prices and the increasing cost of essential goods.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the initiative, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, October 30, 2026.
According to the minister, the presidential intervention is designed to provide immediate financial assistance to millions of vulnerable Nigerians and help households cope with the rising cost of living.
Doro announced that eligible beneficiaries would receive N50,000 under the programme, describing the intervention as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen household resilience and provide short-term economic relief.
He explained that the initiative would be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in living costs, with beneficiaries receiving direct notifications before any adjustments are made.
The ministry is partnering with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure that payments are delivered securely and transparently.
Selected beneficiaries will receive text messages from approved payment providers requesting their consent before the funds are credited to their bank accounts or mobile wallets.
The minister stressed that Nigerians do not need to submit applications, pay registration fees or engage agents to access the financial assistance.
He also warned against fraudsters seeking to exploit the programme, advising beneficiaries never to disclose their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) or other confidential banking details.
Doro directed Nigerians who receive suspicious messages or encounter individuals demanding money to access the intervention to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
The programme’s official guidelines indicate that beneficiaries will be selected through verified national identity records and the National Social Register, with payments being distributed in phases.
However, while the minister’s announcement describes the N50,000 support as a monthly payment, the programme’s official website currently describes it as a one-off financial grant. The ministry’s published guidelines therefore contain a difference that requires clarification.
The minister maintained that NERSI complements existing Federal Government social protection initiatives and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
