The Federal Government has released an official guide explaining how Nigerians are selected for its ₦50,000 relief grant under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
In a press release dated November 6, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction answered frequently asked questions about eligibility, payment, approved platforms and how beneficiaries can access the support.
The Ministry said beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, using poverty and vulnerability criteria. The selection covers all six geopolitical zones. The providers handle payment delivery, while government records alone determine beneficiary selection.
Each person selected will receive ₦50,000 as a grant. The money is not a loan, does not require repayment and should be credited in full without deductions.
According to the Ministry, selected beneficiaries will receive an SMS from an authorised digital financial service provider. The message will explain how to accept the support. Depending on the provider, recipients may be asked to reply YES or dial a designated Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code.
The approved payment platforms and codes are ALAT by Wema Bank, *945*23#; MoMo Payment Service Bank (MoMo PSB), *671*0#; NairaGram, *726*00#; OPay, *955*20#; and Moniepoint, *557*327#.
After consent is given, the ₦50,000 is credited directly to the beneficiary’s mobile wallet. The Ministry said USSD access does not require a smartphone or internet connection, making it possible for beneficiaries using basic phones to follow the instructions.
The government also warned Nigerians against anyone demanding money to secure inclusion, speed up payment or complete registration. There is no fee, agent registration or application link for the grant. Genuine notifications will come from the approved payment providers.
Beneficiaries were advised not to disclose their Personal Identification Number (PIN), One-Time Password (OTP) or Bank Verification Number (BVN). Anyone requesting these details or payment in exchange for the grant should be treated as a fraud risk.
How to check and receive payment
There is no public application portal or general eligibility form. If selected, wait for an SMS from one of the approved providers, then follow the instructions in that message. Use only the provider’s designated USSD code where requested, and never share your PIN, OTP or BVN. For questions or complaints, contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.