The Federal Government has commenced a monthly cash relief programme offering N50,000 to vulnerable households to cushion the impact of rising living costs.Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the development in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
He described the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) as a presidential initiative designed to provide immediate financial assistance to millions of vulnerable Nigerians.Doro said the intervention was introduced in response to global food inflation and the rising cost of essential goods, which have continued to place pressure on households.
“Under this intervention, eligible beneficiaries will receive N50,000 monthly, providing direct assistance to help meet essential needs and ease the burden of living costs,” he said.The minister explained that the programme would be reviewed regularly in line with changes in the cost of living, with beneficiaries notified directly before any adjustment is made.
He said the ministry is working with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure secure, prompt and transparent delivery of the funds. Beneficiaries will receive text messages from the providers seeking their consent before payments are made directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.Doro stressed that beneficiaries are not required to apply, pay any fee or register through agents to access the intervention.
He warned Nigerians against fraudsters and advised beneficiaries not to disclose their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to anyone.“If you are unsure about any message, or anyone asks you for money, call the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222,” he said.The minister added that NERSI complements existing Federal Government social protection and economic support programmes and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
