Nigerians seeking to benefit from the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 relief grant can now check their eligibility through designated financial platforms using special USSD codes, as details of the payment process emerge.
The intervention, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction is implementing the programme in partnership with approved digital financial service providers.
According to the ministry’s official NERSI portal, beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records rather than through a fresh application process.
Those selected are notified through SMS from their designated financial service providers and are required to give their consent before the money is credited to their mobile wallets.
SIX PLATFORMS AND THEIR USSD CODES
The following are the platforms and codes Nigerians can use to check their eligibility and access the intervention:
ALAT by Wema Bank: Dial 94523#.
MoMo Payment Service Bank (MoMo PSB): Dial 6710#.
NairaGram: Dial 72600#.
OPay: Dial 95520# or check through the official OPay mobile application.
Moniepoint: Dial 557327# or use the Moniepoint mobile application.
Xpress Payments: Listed in some reports as an additional payment partner, but no NERSI-specific USSD code has been published for it.
The Federal Government’s live NERSI portal currently provides codes for the first five providers. Nigerians are therefore advised to rely on the codes published on the official portal and instructions from their payment providers.
HOW TO CHECK IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE
Nigerians can check their eligibility by dialling the USSD code assigned to their financial service provider and selecting the option to check eligibility.
The codes work on basic mobile phones and do not require an internet connection or smartphone.
Those selected will receive an SMS notifying them of their eligibility and providing instructions on how to accept the payment.
For OPay customers, the company has also explained that eligible users will see a pop-up notification on their app homepages.
The company warned that customers who cannot see the notification should not assume they have been selected, adding that it does not determine who qualifies for the government intervention.
HOW TO RECEIVE THE ₦50,000
Once notified, beneficiaries are expected to follow the instructions contained in the SMS and give their consent to receive the money.
After acceptance, a mobile wallet linked to their phone number and National Identification Number (NIN) is activated, and the ₦50,000 is credited.
The money can subsequently be withdrawn through POS agents, transferred to bank accounts or used for transactions through the respective platforms.
Beneficiaries can also withdraw part of the money and leave the remaining balance in their wallets.
The ministry says no deductions are made from the ₦50,000 when the grant is credited. However, normal POS withdrawal charges may apply when beneficiaries cash out through agents.
NO APPLICATION, REGISTRATION FEE REQUIRED
The government has made it clear that Nigerians do not need to fill out fresh application forms, visit government offices or pay registration fees to qualify.
Beneficiaries are identified through existing government records, with the selection process designed to reach poor and vulnerable households across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The payments are being made in phases, meaning that not everyone will receive an eligibility notification at the same time.
Those who check their status and receive a ‘NOT SELECTED’ response are advised to remain patient, as subsequent batches may be contacted.
However, there is no guarantee that everyone who checks again will eventually be selected.
FG WARNS AGAINST SCAMMERS
The government has warned Nigerians against fraudsters taking advantage of public interest in the relief programme.
According to the NERSI guidelines, nobody should demand money to register beneficiaries, facilitate payment or unlock the ₦50,000 grant.
Beneficiaries have also been warned never to disclose their bank PINs, one-time passwords (OTPs), passwords or BVNs to anyone claiming to be a government official or financial service provider.
The ministry says genuine programme messages come from the approved payment providers and do not contain links asking beneficiaries to submit sensitive information.
Nigerians have been advised to ignore suspicious WhatsApp messages, online registration links and individuals promising to secure their names on the beneficiary list.
The official NERSI helpline is 0700-022-2222.
Those experiencing difficulties or unsure about the authenticity of a message can contact the helpline for clarification.
The intervention is a grant, not a loan, and beneficiaries are not expected to repay the money.
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