The Federal Government has commenced a new monthly cash assistance programme offering ₦50,000 to eligible vulnerable households across Nigeria as part of efforts to ease the financial pressure caused by rising food prices and the high cost of living.

The initiative, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), was announced on Friday by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, in Abuja.

Doro said the presidential intervention was designed to provide immediate financial assistance to millions of vulnerable Nigerians struggling to meet their basic needs.

The programme was introduced in response to global food inflation and increasing prices of essential goods, which have continued to put pressure on household incomes.

Under the arrangement, eligible beneficiaries will receive ₦50,000 monthly, although the government plans to review the payments periodically to reflect changes in the cost of living.

The minister said beneficiaries would be notified directly before any adjustments were made to the payment structure.

Doro explained that the ministry was working with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure the funds reach beneficiaries securely and transparently.

He said selected beneficiaries would receive text messages from the approved service providers requesting their consent before the payments are processed.

Once consent is obtained, the money will be paid directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts or mobile wallets.

The minister stressed that Nigerians would not need to submit applications, pay registration fees or go through agents to access the financial support.

He also warned citizens against fraudsters seeking to exploit the programme, advising beneficiaries not to disclose their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to anyone.

Doro provided an official helpline, 0700-022-2222, for Nigerians who are uncertain about messages they receive or encounter individuals demanding money in connection with the intervention.

He said NERSI would complement existing federal government social protection and economic support programmes, adding that the initiative was intended to strengthen household resilience and promote economic stability.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the programme with transparency and accountability under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.