FG Explains ₦50,000 NERSI Grant, Warns Beneficiaries Against Fraud
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has clarified the eligibility and payment procedures for its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) grant, warning Nigerians against fraudulent agents demanding money or personal banking details to facilitate access to the support.
The clarification was contained in a press release issued on November 6, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, signed electronically by Kingsley O. Onuoha on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations.
The Ministry said beneficiaries would be selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records based on established poverty and vulnerability criteria, with coverage across the six geopolitical zones.
It stressed that “there is no application or registration process,” adding that neither individuals, government officials nor agents could influence the selection process.
According to the Ministry, each selected beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 as a Federal Government grant, with the full amount credited without deductions. It emphasised that the support “is not a loan and does not require repayment.”
The Ministry explained that beneficiaries would be notified through SMS from authorised digital financial service providers, with instructions on how to accept and access the funds.
The approved payment platforms and their USSD codes include ALAT by Wema Bank (94523#), MoMo PSB (6710#), NairaGram (72600#), OPay (95520#) and Moniepoint (557327#).
It said beneficiaries could consent to the payment by following the instructions in their SMS notifications, including replying “YES” or dialling the designated USSD code, after which the grant would be credited directly to their mobile wallets.
The Ministry further clarified that beneficiaries would not need a smartphone or internet connection to access the USSD service.
Warning against scams, the Ministry stated that “beneficiaries are not required to pay any fee, register through an agent or click on any link to receive the support.”
It cautioned Nigerians against disclosing their Personal Identification Number (PIN), One-Time Password (OTP) or Bank Verification Number (BVN), stressing that anyone demanding payment to secure inclusion or fast-track the grant was attempting to commit fraud.
For enquiries and complaints, the Ministry provided the official NERSI helpline: 0700-022-2222.
It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the intervention is delivered with “transparency, accountability and dignity,” in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
