By Paul Joseph
The Federal Government’s official NERSI guidance explains who can receive the ₦50,000 relief grant and how selected beneficiaries can accept payment. Beneficiaries are chosen from verified national identity records and the National Social Register; there is no public application or registration process.
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Key Highlights
- Eligible beneficiaries are selected from verified identity records and the National Social Register.
- There is no application form, registration portal, fee or agent who can add a person to the list.
- Selected beneficiaries receive an SMS from ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint.
- Recipients must consent by replying YES or following the instructions in their provider’s message.
- The full ₦50,000 is credited to a mobile wallet; a usual POS withdrawal fee may apply when cashing out.
- The official page says beneficiaries are spread across all six geopolitical zones and selected based on need.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction says selected households receive a message from one of five authorised payment providers. The SMS explains how to accept the support. After consent, a wallet linked to the recipient’s phone number and National Identification Number is opened and credited.
Who Is Eligible for the ₦50,000 NERSI Grant?
Beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, then screened to reach poor and vulnerable households. The Ministry says beneficiaries are drawn from all six geopolitical zones and selection is based on need.
Nigerians cannot apply or pay to be added to the list. No official, individual or third-party agent can influence selection. If selected, a beneficiary is contacted directly by an authorised payment provider.
How Beneficiaries Receive the NERSI Payment
The selected recipient receives an SMS from ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint. Beneficiaries should follow the instructions in the genuine message and give consent by replying YES or using the provider’s code. Nothing is paid until the recipient accepts.
The ₦50,000 is credited to the beneficiary’s mobile wallet in full. It is a grant, not a loan, and does not have to be repaid. Recipients can use the funds in their wallet or withdraw them. A POS agent may charge the usual withdrawal fee, so ask about the fee before cashing out.
The Ministry says a smartphone or internet connection is not required to use the providers’ USSD services:
| Payment provider | USSD code |
|---|---|
| ALAT by Wema Bank | *945*23# |
| MoMo PSB | *671*0# |
| NairaGram | *726*00# |
| OPay | *955*20# |
| Moniepoint | *5573*27# |
Use the instructions in your own provider’s genuine SMS. The Ministry’s official NERSI page lists the provider codes and says recipients can also use them to check eligibility.
FG Warns Nigerians Against NERSI Grant Scams
The programme is free. The Ministry warns that beneficiaries should not pay registration fees, middlemen or anyone promising to secure or speed up payment. Genuine programme messages come from the five authorised providers and do not ask for money, a PIN, an OTP or a password.
Do not click unofficial grant links or disclose confidential banking details to callers or agents. For enquiries, complaints or to verify a message, contact the NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
Is the NERSI Payment Monthly?
The Minister’s October 30 launch statement described the ₦50,000 support as monthly. The current NERSI page confirms the amount but does not specify a recurring payment schedule, so the payment frequency remains unclear. See the FG grants and loans tracker for updates.
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