How FG selects beneficiaries for N50,000 relief

The Federal Government has explained the selection process for its N50,000 cash relief program under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI). Beneficiaries are chosen from verified national identity records and the National Social Register (NSR), a database of poor and vulnerable households. The NSR contains data on over 70 million individuals and is maintained by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO).

Enrollment in both the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and NSR is required for inclusion in the National Beneficiary Register, which is used for programs like cash transfers. However, the government does not disclose specific screening criteria for relief recipients. Nigerians cannot apply or pay to be included in the beneficiary list.

The Humanitarian Assistance Programme, a shock-responsive cash transfer initiative, provides financial support through mobile wallets. Those ranked within the bottom six deciles of poverty indicators may qualify for inclusion in the National Beneficiary Register. Payments are made in phases, without contact at the same time for all beneficiaries. Nigerians can check their selection status through approved providers by dialing their USSD codes.