The Federal Government has launched a new cash relief programme that will provide N50,000 every month to vulnerable Nigerian households struggling with the rising cost of living.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the programme in a statement released on Friday in Abuja, according to Channels TV.
Doro explained that the initiative, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), was introduced by President Bola Tinubu to provide urgent financial support to millions of Nigerians facing economic hardship.
He said the programme was designed to help families cope with rising food prices worldwide and the increasing cost of basic goods.
“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 government would regularly review the programme based on changes in living costs. Beneficiaries would also receive direct notifications before any adjustments were made.
On how the money would be distributed, Doro said the ministry was working with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure payments were made safely, quickly and transparently.
He explained that eligible Nigerians would receive text messages from the financial service providers requesting their consent before the money was transferred directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.
Doro made it clear that beneficiaries would not need to submit applications, pay registration fees or go through agents to receive the financial assistance.
He also cautioned Nigerians against fraudsters who might attempt to take advantage of the programme.
The minister advised beneficiaries never to share their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) or personal identification numbers (PINs) with 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.
Doro further explained that NERSI would work alongside other Federal Government social protection and economic support programmes to help households remain financially stable during difficult economic conditions.
He added that the initiative was part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and assured Nigerians that the ministry remained committed to implementing it with dignity, transparency and accountability.
