Federal Government Targets Vulnerable Households for ₦50,000 Grant

The Federal Government is employing the National Social Register to identify poor and vulnerable Nigerian households for social intervention programs, including the ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI). This register, coordinated by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office, assists government agencies in selecting beneficiaries for financial support.

Announced on October 30, 2026, the program aims to alleviate the burden of rising living costs on vulnerable households. Dr Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, clarified on November 6 that beneficiaries are selected based on poverty and vulnerability criteria using the National Social Register and verified national identity records.

The ministry warned against individual applications and payments to agents for inclusion. The register's compilation involves geographic targeting, community ranking, community-based targeting, and Proxy Means Testing to accurately identify households facing poverty.

Households ranked within the first to sixth deciles are eligible for specific interventions, including cash transfer programs.