Some YEIDEP beneficiaries of the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP) have started visiting Keystone Bank branches after receiving a text message asking them to regularise their accounts and complete documentation.
The message reads: “YEIDEP Account: Dear Customer, please visit any Keystone Bank branch with a valid ID to regularize your account and complete the required documentation.”
The instruction has prompted questions among applicants, particularly those who say they have already submitted their details or completed verification.
A beneficiary, Baba Kawu, said he visited a Keystone Bank branch in Bida, Niger State, but was reportedly told that his account had been opened by phone and that he should open another account with a different number. He questioned how his grant would be paid into the new account and said he received no clear answer.
Other applicants described the distance to bank branches and transport costs as difficulties. One beneficiary said bank staff told him the message applied to customers who had yet to collect their cards.
The reported experiences differ, and the reason for the message has not been officially clarified. Beneficiaries should confirm the instructions with Keystone Bank before opening another account or changing account details.
No confirmed update has been provided about similar documentation requests from YEIDEP’s other partner banks. Applicants continue to express frustration over the process and the absence of confirmed grant payments.
What to bring
Beneficiaries who received the SMS should take valid identification to a Keystone Bank branch. Applicants reported being asked for their National Identification Number (NIN), one passport photograph, a utility bill, Bank Verification Number (BVN) and account number. Requirements may vary, so confirm with the bank before travelling.