ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of its proposed ₦50,000 cash support scheme for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
The organisation urged the government to disclose the programme’s funding sources, approved budget, beneficiary selection criteria and payment arrangements to ensure that the intervention reaches those who need it most.
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) was announced by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, on October 30, 2026.
In a statement on Sunday, ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, expressed concern over the absence of detailed information about the programme’s budget, the number of intended beneficiaries and its implementation timeline.
Mamedu noted that a monthly payment of ₦50,000 to one million households would cost the government ₦50 billion monthly, while extending the support to five million households would require ₦250 billion every month.
He said the scale of the proposed intervention made transparent budgeting, legislative oversight and regular public disclosure essential.
The organisation also raised concerns over conflicting information regarding the payment structure, explaining that the minister reportedly described the support as a monthly allowance, while the programme’s official website listed it as a one-time grant.
ActionAid further called for clarification on how beneficiaries would be identified through the National Social Register and national identity records. It questioned whether the register was sufficiently updated to capture households that had recently fallen into poverty.
The organisation urged the government to prioritise women-headed households, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, older citizens and vulnerable rural communities.
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It also recommended accessible procedures for people who qualify for assistance but are excluded from existing records, stressing that access to social protection should not depend entirely on possessing national identification documents, mobile phones or bank accounts.
Mamedu warned against political interference in the programme, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. He maintained that beneficiary selection must be determined by vulnerability and genuine need rather than political considerations.
ActionAid also called for the disclosure of payment service providers, administrative expenses and independent verification mechanisms. It recommended regular publication of disbursement figures, geographical coverage, failed transactions and resolved complaints, while protecting beneficiaries’ personal information.
The organisation further advocated independent monitoring by credible civil society groups, stronger legislative supervision and safeguards against the diversion of public funds.
Beyond the cash support scheme, ActionAid urged the Federal Government to pursue sustainable poverty reduction through investments in decent employment, affordable healthcare, quality education, food security and livelihood opportunities.
The organisation maintained that the programme’s success should be assessed by the number of vulnerable households reached, fairness in selecting recipients and accountability in the use of public funds, rather than the announcement of financial assistance alone.
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