SERAP demands full transparency on FG's ₦50,000 NERSI cash transfer program
SERAP has fired a Freedom of Information request at Humanitarian Affairs Minister Bernard Doro demanding complete disclosure on the ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) announced October 30. The civil society organisation wants details on budgetary allocations, funds released, eligibility criteria, beneficiary selection processes, geographical distribution, and whether the payment is one-off or monthly — the ministry's FAQ contradicts its initial statement calling it a monthly intervention.
SERAP also urges the minister to formally invite the ICPC and EFCC to monitor implementation, investigate corruption allegations, and ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries. The FOI request, dated November 7 and signed by deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, gives the ministry seven days to respond or face legal action.
This matters because Nigerians have a right to know how public funds are spent, who gets help, and whether the most vulnerable are actually being reached. SERAP highlights reports that some notified beneficiaries cannot access funds while others are wrongly deemed ineligible — raising questions about verification accuracy and payment reliability. The programme engages digital financial providers ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint, but their agreements, roles, fees and performance remain undisclosed.
The stakes are higher with 2027 elections approaching. SERAP warns NERSI must not reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty, or influence electoral choices. Beneficiaries must not be required to attend rallies or display political materials. This concern is backed by the Auditor-General's 2024 report flagging ₦78.8 billion allegedly diverted in social programmes, including ₦33.751 billion in 2023 cash transfers lacking proper REMITA records.
If you're in a vulnerable household, check whether you're on the National Social Register and monitor official channels for legitimate NERSI notifications. Will you demand your representatives press for the transparency SERAP is asking for, or wait to see if the ministry complies before the seven-day deadline expires?