SERAP seeks details of Nigeria’s N50,000 relief scheme

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked Nigeria’s minister of humanitarian affairs to disclose how the government’s N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention is funded and administered, giving him seven days to respond before it considers legal action.

SERAP’s Freedom of Information request, dated November 7, asks Minister Bernard Doro for budget allocations, amounts released and spent, eligibility rules, beneficiary selection and verification methods, and the geographic distribution of recipients. It also seeks information on contracts with digital financial service providers, payment arrangements and safeguards for beneficiaries’ personal data.

The request follows the ministry’s October 30 announcement of NERSI, which is intended to provide financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians. SERAP said the ministry initially described the N50,000 assistance as monthly, while a subsequent frequently asked questions document did not clearly specify how often payments would be made or for how long. The ministry’s clarification describes the assistance as a grant, not a loan, but does not resolve that question.