ActionAid calls for transparency in management of N50, 000 cash support scheme
Lagos, Nov. 2026 -ActionAid Nigeria has called for transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the N50,000 cash support to vulnerable Nigerians being introduced by the federal government.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) announced the introduction of the scheme on Friday.
Under the scheme, vulnerable Nigerians are to be supported by the federal government with N50, 000 cash transfers through the banks or cash wallets.
Andrew Mamedu, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, made the call in a statement at the weekend after the announcement of the project.
ActionAid called for full disclosure of the funding sources, the beneficiary selection criteria and disbursement arrangements.
It advised that the project must be implemented through a transparent and equitable process to prevent political interference, diversion of funds and exclusion of deserving beneficiaries.
“The federal government has a responsibility to explain whether the intervention is funded through existing budgetary allocations, supplementary appropriations, savings from economic reforms, development financing or other sources.
“Nigerians deserve to know the total amount committed to the programme, how much has been released and what mechanisms have been established to ensure that every naira reaches its intended beneficiary,” it said.
ActionAid expressed concern over the absence of a clearly disclosed programme budget, specific beneficiary targets and an implementation timeline, noting that the scale of the intervention required adequate financial planning and public accountability.
According to ActionAid, providing N50,000 monthly to one million households would require N50 billion every month, while extending the support to five million households would cost N250 billion monthly.
The organisation said the projections highlighted the need for transparent budgeting, legislative oversight and regular public reporting to enable Nigerians to monitor the use of funds.
It called on the federal government to clarify whether the N50,000 assistance would be a one-off payment or a monthly allowance and disclose how long beneficiaries would receive the support.
The organisation also called for accessible grievance and redress mechanisms for eligible Nigerians excluded from the register, stressing that access to social protection should not depend solely on possession of national identification documents, mobile phones or bank accounts.
It cautioned against politicising the intervention, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“Social protection is not a political favour or an act of charity; it is a responsibility of government to its citizens.
“Nigerians deserve to know who is receiving this money, how beneficiaries are selected and whether the support is reaching those who need it most.
“With the 2027 general elections approaching, government must demonstrate that this intervention is driven strictly by vulnerability and need, not political considerations,” it said.♥
