The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a N50,000 cash relief programme for poor and vulnerable households across the country to ease the burden of rising food prices and the high cost of living.
The initiative, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), was announced on October 30, 2026, by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.
According to the minister, the presidential initiative is designed to provide immediate financial support to millions of Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of essential goods.
Doro said eligible beneficiaries would receive N50,000 monthly to help them meet basic household needs. He added that the programme would be reviewed regularly in response to changes in the cost of living.
The Federal Government is working with three licensed digital financial service providers, ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo Payment Service Bank and NairaGram, to facilitate the payments.
Selected beneficiaries will receive text messages from the approved providers requesting their consent before the money is credited to their mobile wallets.
According to the programme’s official guidelines, beneficiaries will be selected from verified national identity records and the National Social Register, with priority given to poor and vulnerable households.
The government said payments would be made in phases across the country’s six geopolitical zones. Beneficiaries do not need to apply, register through agents or pay any fee to access the support.
The N50,000 grant can be withdrawn through banks or POS agents or used directly from the beneficiary’s mobile wallet. Nigerians without smartphones or internet access can also access the service through USSD codes.
The ministry has warned Nigerians against fraudsters who may demand money or personal banking details in exchange for access to the programme.
It advised anyone with questions or concerns to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
The intervention is part of the Tinubu administration’s social protection efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda and is intended to provide immediate financial relief to households facing economic hardship.
