FG Begins N50,000 Monthly Cash Support for Poor Nigerians

The Federal Government has commenced a monthly cash support programme offering N50,000 to eligible vulnerable households across the country to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the initiative in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

Known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), the programme is 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 put pressure on household finances.

“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,” the minister said.

He explained that the programme would be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in the cost of living, adding that beneficiaries would be notified directly before any adjustment to the payments.

According to the minister, the ministry is working with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure secure, timely and transparent disbursement.

Beneficiaries will receive text messages from the approved service providers seeking their consent before the funds are transferred directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.

Doro stressed that Nigerians do not need to submit applications, pay fees or register through agents to access the support.

He warned citizens against fraudsters who might attempt to exploit the programme, advising them not to disclose their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to anyone.

The minister also provided a helpline, 0700-022-2222, for Nigerians who are uncertain about messages they receive or encounter individuals demanding money to facilitate access to the intervention.

Doro said NERSI would complement existing Federal Government social protection and economic support programmes, while strengthening household resilience and economic stability.

He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the programme with transparency and accountability.