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The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a ₦50,000 cash relief intervention under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), targeting poor and vulnerable households across the country.
The initiative, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is designed to provide financial support to households struggling with rising living costs.
However, questions have emerged about who qualifies for the intervention, whether Nigerians can independently apply, and how selected beneficiaries can access the money.
An examination of the official NERSI website provides clarification on these concerns.
Is The ₦50,000 A Loan Or A Grant?
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The official NERSI website identifies the payment as a Federal Government grant. This means selected beneficiaries are not expected to repay the money, and the full ₦50,000 is credited without deductions.
The NERSI intervention is a targeted cash-transfer programme, not an open grant scheme for every Nigerian.
Eligibility depends on the government’s existing records and poverty and vulnerability screening.
Nigerians are therefore advised to rely on official government communication rather than unofficial registration links, social media claims or individuals promising to facilitate access to the grant.
Who Is Eligible For The 50,000 Naira Grant?
According to the official NERSI website, beneficiaries are selected from two existing government records: verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
The selected individuals and households are subsequently screened based on poverty and vulnerability criteria.
This means the intervention is not an open grant scheme available to every Nigerian. Rather, it is a targeted social intervention programme designed to reach households considered economically vulnerable.
The government also stated that beneficiary selection covers all six geopolitical zones, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
Does Having A NIN Automatically Qualify Someone?
No. Although verified national identity records are part of the selection process, possessing a National Identification Number (NIN) does not automatically qualify an individual for the ₦50,000 support.
The official website explains that beneficiaries are identified through verified national identity records and the National Social Register before undergoing vulnerability screening.
Therefore, having a NIN should not be interpreted as a guarantee of receiving the grant.
Similarly, being captured in the National Social Register does not necessarily guarantee selection in the current payment phase.
Can Nigerians Apply For The Grant?
No. There is no public application or registration process for the NERSI intervention.
According to the official website, individuals cannot apply independently or pay to be included on the beneficiary list, and the government warns that nobody, including government officials or agents, can influence the selection process or sell a place on the list.
Consequently, treat any website, individual, or social media account requesting registration fees in exchange for access to the grant with suspicion.
How Will Selected Beneficiaries Receive The ₦50,000?
The official NERSI website outlines a four-step process through which selected beneficiaries can receive the support.
Step 1: Receive an SMS notification
The first step is that selected beneficiaries will receive a text message from one of the five approved payment providers.
The notification informs the recipient of their selection and provides instructions for accepting the support.
Step 2: Give consent
Beneficiaries are required to follow the instructions in their notification, which may involve replying YES or using their designated provider’s USSD code.
The government emphasises that payment cannot be made without the beneficiary’s consent.
Step 3: Mobile wallet activation
Following acceptance, a mobile wallet is opened and linked to the beneficiary’s phone number and NIN.
Step 4: Receive the money
The ₦50,000 is credited to the beneficiary’s mobile wallet. Beneficiaries can subsequently withdraw the money through a POS agent or bank, or spend it directly from their wallet.
Approved Payment Providers And Their USSD Codes
The Federal Government has identified five payment providers through which beneficiaries can access the support.
The official website also explains that beneficiaries can use the designated USSD services without a smartphone or internet connection.
Importantly, the codes should be used in accordance with the instructions from the designated payment provider. The official NERSI FAQ also explains that beneficiaries can use the relevant provider’s USSD service to check their eligibility.
How Can Nigerians Identify Genuine NERSI Messages?
The government has issued safety guidelines to protect Nigerians from individuals attempting to exploit the intervention. According to the official website, genuine notifications must satisfy three conditions:
1. They must come from one of the five approved payment providers.
2. They should only request that beneficiaries reply YES or dial their provider’s designated USSD code.
3. They must never request payment, a PIN, an OTP or ask beneficiaries to click an external link.
The government further advises Nigerians never to disclose their financial security information to anyone claiming to facilitate the payment. For enquiries or complaints relating to the programme, Nigerians can contact the official NERSI helpline.
