FG’s digital relief scheme risks missing poorest households as NIN, phone gaps persist

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The Federal Government’s new N50,000 monthly relief programme risks leaving some of Nigeria’s poorest households outside its payment system, as ...

The Federal Government’s new N50,000 monthly relief programme risks leaving some of Nigeria’s poorest households outside its payment system, as beneficiaries without registered mobile phone numbers, verified National Identification Numbers (NINs) or access to digital financial services may struggle to receive the assistance.

Recall, the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), introduced to cushion the impact of rising food prices and living costs, relies exclusively on five digital financial service providers: ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo Payment Service Bank, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.

Although the government says the arrangement eliminates intermediaries and reduces payment leakages, its dependence on existing identity and digital infrastructure raises questions about whether the households facing the greatest financial hardship can navigate the system.

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