The Federal Government’s N50,000 monthly cash transfer to vulnerable Nigerians under its National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) has come under scrutiny, with Transparency International Nigeria questioning its funding, transparency and timing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The intervention, introduced by the President Bola Tinubu administration to cushion the impact of rising living costs, has also triggered concerns among economists and beneficiaries over whether the payment can provide meaningful relief to millions of Nigerians battling poverty.
The Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Rafsanjani, questioned why the government waited until the period preceding another election to introduce the intervention, arguing that the timing raised suspicions about its political intentions.
Rafsanjani described the initiative as an attempt to solicit public support ahead of the 2027 elections rather than a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy.
He argued that Nigerians had endured worsening economic conditions following the government’s policy changes without receiving similar assistance.
“This N50,000 that they are giving to some people, they didn’t do it three and a half years ago when Nigerians were crying as a result of the harsh policies that the government introduced,” he said.
Beyond the timing, the transparency advocate questioned the source of funding, duration of the programme, beneficiary selection process and accountability framework.
He demanded clarification on whether the National Assembly had appropriated funds for the intervention, insisting that public expenditure must comply with constitutional requirements.
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“Any money that you spend, according to our law, must be appropriated by the National Assembly. So where did they get the money to be sharing the N50,000?” he asked.
Although Rafsanjani acknowledged that financial assistance to struggling Nigerians was welcome, he maintained that N50,000 would not adequately address the country’s deepening poverty and cost-of-living crisis.
Beneficiaries acknowledge relief but question adequacy
The concerns come as some beneficiaries confirm receiving payments, while others reportedly identified as eligible are still awaiting disbursement.
One beneficiary, who spoke anonymously, said the money, received through his OPay account, helped his family purchase basic food items but described the assistance as temporary.
Another recipient said that she used the money to purchase a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas and some food items, noting that the amount could only cover a fraction of her household expenses.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, which oversees the programme, said beneficiaries were selected through the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
At the October 30, 2026 launch, the minister, Dr Bernard Doro, announced that approved financial technology companies and payment platforms, including OPay, would facilitate direct payments through designated channels.
However, questions remain over the total number of beneficiaries, the programme’s funding arrangements and how long the payments will continue.
Economist warns against treating cash transfers as poverty solution
Economist and financial analyst Godwin Oyedokun described the intervention as a welcome social protection measure but cautioned against presenting it as a solution to Nigeria’s structural poverty challenges.
He said N50,000 could help households meet immediate needs, including food, medication and other essential expenses, but families with several dependents could exhaust the money quickly.
According to him, the effectiveness of the intervention would depend partly on whether the payment was a one-off benefit or sustained monthly assistance.
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“Poverty in Nigeria is linked to unemployment, low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, limited economic opportunities and the rising cost of essential goods and services,” he said.
Oyedokun urged the government to complement cash transfers with job creation, agricultural development, vocational training, microenterprise financing, affordable healthcare and improved access to education.
He also called for transparent beneficiary selection, independent monitoring, periodic reviews of payment values and public disclosure of funding sources and programme outcomes.
Poverty figures raise questions over N50,000 impact
The debate is unfolding against the backdrop of Nigeria’s widespread poverty and persistent pressure on household incomes.
World Bank estimates cited in the report indicate that between 122 million and 133 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, raising questions about the reach and adequacy of the intervention.
With food inflation reported at 19.59 per cent, petrol selling between N1,325 and N1,420 per litre and cooking gas costing between N1,300 and N1,600 per kilogramme, beneficiaries face competing demands on limited household resources.
Oyedokun maintained that the success of NERSI should be measured not merely by the number of people paid but by demonstrable improvements in their living conditions.
His position reflects the central question confronting the intervention: whether the N50,000 payments will provide sustained social protection or remain short-term relief without addressing the economic conditions keeping millions of Nigerians in poverty.