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By Stella Woke
ActionAid Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of its proposed ₦50,000 cash support scheme for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
The organisation specifically called for the disclosure of the programme's funding sources, approved budget, beneficiary selection criteria and disbursement arrangements under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
The intervention was announced by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, on October 30, 2026.
In a statement issued on Sunday, ActionAid Nigeria's Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the government must provide Nigerians with clear information about the total funds committed to the initiative, amounts released and measures to ensure that payments reach the intended beneficiaries.
Mamedu expressed concern over the absence of a publicly disclosed budget, definite beneficiary targets and a clear implementation timeline.
He explained that paying ₦50,000 monthly to one million households would require ₦50 billion, while extending the support to five million households would cost ₦250 billion monthly.
He said such financial commitments required transparent budgeting, legislative oversight and regular public disclosures.
The organisation also urged the government to resolve inconsistencies surrounding the payment arrangement, observing that while the minister described the intervention as a monthly allowance, the programme's official website presented it as a one-off grant.
On beneficiary identification, ActionAid said the government had indicated that recipients would be selected through the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
However, it questioned how recently the register was updated, the criteria for determining eligibility and the arrangements for including households that had recently fallen into poverty.
It urged the government to prioritise the poorest and most disadvantaged groups, including women-headed households, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, older persons and vulnerable rural communities.
ActionAid further stressed the need for accessible complaint and redress mechanisms for eligible Nigerians left out of the register.
It warned that access to social protection should not be restricted by the absence of national identity documents, mobile phones or bank accounts.
Mamedu maintained that social protection was a government responsibility and should not be treated as a political favour or charitable gesture.
He also cautioned against political interference in the programme, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, insisting that beneficiaries must be selected strictly on the basis of vulnerability and need.
The organisation called for the disclosure of digital payment service providers, administrative expenses and independent mechanisms for verifying payments.
It recommended regular publication of data showing the number of households reached, total disbursements, geographical coverage, failed transactions and complaints resolved, while ensuring the protection of beneficiaries' personal information.
Among other measures, ActionAid urged the government to update the National Social Register, clarify the payment structure and duration, strengthen inclusion mechanisms and provide effective channels for addressing complaints.
It also advocated independent monitoring by credible civil society organisations, third-party verification of payments, stronger legislative oversight and safeguards against fund diversion and political manipulation.
Beyond the cash support intervention, the organisation called for sustained investment in decent employment, affordable healthcare, quality education, food security, sustainable livelihoods and essential public services as part of broader efforts to tackle poverty.
It emphasised that the success of the programme should be determined by the number of vulnerable households reached, fairness in beneficiary selection and accountability in the use of public funds, rather than the amount announced by the government.