The Federal Government has explained how selected poor and vulnerable Nigerian households can receive a ₦50,000 cash grant under its National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention.
The programme is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. It is designed to help vulnerable households cope with rising living costs through direct cash transfers into mobile wallets.
According to the programme’s guidelines, beneficiaries will receive the money through designated payment providers, including ALAT, MoMo, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
The government said the use of mobile wallets is meant to ensure that financial support reaches beneficiaries quickly and transparently. It added that independent checks are conducted during each payment cycle.
Steps To Claim The FG’s ₦50,000 Grant
The government outlined four steps for selected beneficiaries to access the payment.
Step One: Look Out For A Text Message
Selected beneficiaries will receive a text message from one of the designated payment providers, informing them that they have been chosen for the programme.
Step Two: Give Your Consent
Recipients are required to reply YES to the message to confirm their consent to participate. The guidelines state that no payment will be made without the beneficiary’s consent.
Step Three: Get Your Mobile Wallet Opened
After confirmation, a mobile wallet will be opened and linked to the beneficiary’s phone number and National Identification Number (NIN).
Step Four: Collect And Cash Out The Funds
The sum of ₦50,000 will be credited to the beneficiary’s wallet. Recipients can withdraw the money through a Point of Sale (POS) agent or at a bank, or spend it directly from their mobile wallets.
USSD Codes For Withdrawing The ₦50,000 Grant
Beneficiaries will receive additional SMS instructions from their respective payment providers once their wallets have been credited.
The government provided the following USSD codes for withdrawals. ALAT (Wema Bank) users should dial 94523#, while MoMo PSB users should dial 6710#. NairaGram users should dial 72600#, OPay users should dial 95520# or use the mobile application, and Moniepoint users should dial 557327# or use the mobile application.
How Beneficiaries Are Chosen
According to the programme’s guidelines, beneficiaries are selected using verified national identity records and the National Social Register. The process is designed to identify poor and vulnerable households eligible for the intervention.
The government explained that individuals cannot apply on their own or pay to be included in the beneficiary list.
It also clarified that not everyone will be included in the first group of beneficiaries.
The government cautioned beneficiaries against fraudsters who may try to exploit the programme by demanding money or personal banking information.
It said the programme is free and that nobody is authorised to request payment to facilitate the release of the ₦50,000 grant.
The guidelines listed three ways beneficiaries can identify genuine programme messages. First, messages must come from ALAT, MoMo, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint.
Second, recipients will only be asked to reply YES or dial their payment provider’s designated USSD code.
Third, genuine messages will never request payment, a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or a One-Time Password (OTP). They will also never require recipients to click a link.
The government also warned beneficiaries against sharing their PINs, OTPs or passwords with anyone, including agents and officials.
It advised recipients to ignore messages from unauthorised senders. Those who are unsure about the authenticity of a notification should contact the programme’s helpline.
Common Questions About The NERSI ₦50,000 Grant
What Exactly Is NERSI?
NERSI is a Federal Government relief programme designed to help Nigerian households cope with rising living costs.
It is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
What Amount Will Beneficiaries Get?
Each selected beneficiary will receive ₦50,000 in their mobile wallet. The government says the full amount will be credited without deductions.
Must The ₦50,000 Be Repaid?
The government stressed that the payment is a Federal Government grant, not a loan, so beneficiaries are not required to repay it.
Who Qualifies For The Cash Transfer?
Beneficiaries are drawn from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
Individuals cannot apply or pay to be included in the list. Those selected will receive an SMS notification from their designated payment provider.
Why Was I Picked, And How Did The Government Get My Phone Number?
According to the programme’s guidelines, beneficiaries are selected using information from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
Their phone numbers are obtained from these records and shared only with the relevant payment provider for the purpose of disbursing the grant.
The government also stated that beneficiaries’ personal information would be used only for the programme.
