The Federal Government (FG) has explained the procedures through which Nigerians selected for its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) can access the financial assistance.
The initiative, being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, targets poor and vulnerable households facing economic difficulties.
It provides direct financial support through mobile wallets rather than physical cash distribution.
Under the arrangement, beneficiaries will receive their grants through approved financial service providers, including ALAT, MoMo, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
The government said the digital payment system is intended to make the disbursement process faster, more transparent and easier to monitor. It added that independent verification checks would be carried out during payment cycles.
Steps to access the FG’s ₦50,000 grant
The government has provided four major steps that selected Nigerians must follow before receiving the money.
1. Check for an official SMS
Individuals whose names are included in the beneficiary list will receive notifications from one of the approved payment companies.
The message will inform them of their selection for the NERSI intervention.
2. Give consent to receive the grant
After receiving the notification, beneficiaries must respond by sending YES to confirm their willingness to participate.
According to the guidelines, the government will not release funds to anyone who has not given the required consent.
3. Set up a mobile wallet
Once consent has been confirmed, a mobile wallet will be created and connected to the recipient’s registered phone number and National Identification Number (NIN).
4. Access the ₦50,000 payment
The approved sum will subsequently be deposited into the beneficiary’s mobile wallet.
Recipients can access their funds by withdrawing through Point of Sale (POS) operators or bank outlets. They can also use the money directly through their mobile wallets.
USSD codes for withdrawing the NERSI grant
Beneficiaries will receive further instructions from their respective payment providers after the money enters their wallets.
The designated withdrawal codes are listed below:
– ALAT (Wema Bank): Dial 94523#.
– MoMo PSB: Dial *6710#.
– NairaGram: Dial *72600#.
– OPay: Dial 95520# or use its mobile application.
– Moniepoint: Dial 557327# or use its mobile application.
FG explains how NERSI beneficiaries are selected
The Federal Government disclosed that the selection process relies on information contained in the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
These databases are used to identify households that meet the programme’s poverty and vulnerability criteria.
The government stressed that interested Nigerians cannot submit independent applications to secure a place on the beneficiary list.
It also clarified that the disbursement would take place in batches, meaning some eligible households might not be included in the initial group.
Furthermore, nobody is permitted to collect money from applicants or beneficiaries in exchange for inclusion in the programme.
FG issues warning over fraudulent messages
Nigerians have also been advised to remain vigilant against individuals attempting to exploit the relief programme to defraud unsuspecting beneficiaries.
The government emphasised that receiving the ₦50,000 grant does not require payment of any processing or registration fee.
It identified the following features of authentic programme notifications:
– Official messages must originate from ALAT, MoMo, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint.
– Beneficiaries will only be instructed to reply YES or use the designated USSD code provided by their payment company.
– Genuine notifications will not demand payment, request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or One-Time Password (OTP), or ask recipients to open suspicious links.
Recipients were further warned against disclosing their banking passwords, PINs and OTPs to anyone, including people claiming to be programme officials or payment agents.
Anyone who receives a suspicious notification should disregard it and contact the programme’s designated helpline for clarification.
Frequently asked questions about the NERSI ₦50,000 grant
What does NERSI mean?
NERSI stands for National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention. It is a Federal Government initiative established to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable Nigerian households struggling with rising living expenses.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction is responsible for implementing the programme.
How much will each beneficiary receive?
Every selected household beneficiary is entitled to ₦50,000, which will be paid directly into their designated mobile wallet.
The government says recipients will get the full amount without deductions.
Is the ₦50,000 assistance repayable?
No. The financial support is a government grant and not a loan. Consequently, recipients are not expected to refund the money.
Who qualifies for the intervention?
Selection is based on records in the National Social Register and verified national identity databases.
There is no provision for individuals to independently apply or pay for consideration. Those selected will be contacted through their designated payment providers.
How did the government get beneficiaries’ phone numbers?
According to the programme guidelines, the government obtains relevant information from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
The phone numbers contained in these records are provided to the appropriate payment service providers to facilitate the transfer of funds.
The government also assured that beneficiaries’ personal information would only be used for purposes connected with the intervention.
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