FG N50,000 NERSI grant: how to check eligibility via Moniepoint, OPay, ALAT, MoMo and NairaGram

Nigerians can now check their eligibility for the Federal Government's ₦50,000 NERSI grant through participating financial service providers, without visiting a government office. The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention is a one-off grant for selected vulnerable households. It is not an open application portal.

Having an account with any participating provider does not automatically qualify a customer. Beneficiaries must meet the programme's eligibility requirements and be selected through official records.

Where to check

Moniepoint Microfinance Bank has a USSD channel for customers to check eligibility. The service is useful for people on basic phones or with limited internet access. Eligible customers can follow the instructions to check status and get disbursement information. The channel does not guarantee payment for everyone who uses it.

Other participating providers and circulated USSD codes are: Moniepoint MFB, *557#; ALAT by Wema, *945*23#; MoMo PSB, *671*0#; NairaGram, *726*00#; and OPay, *955*20#. Customers should confirm each code through the provider's official channels before use. A general banking USSD code may not lead directly to the grant service. Moniepoint customers should dial *5573*27# with their registered phone numbers.

Steps after selection

Selected beneficiaries can complete the process without going to a physical office. The steps are: receive an official SMS from a participating financial institution or dial its designated shortcode; select the option to check eligibility; confirm selection status and give consent by choosing YES; follow instructions to activate the mobile wallet linked to the registered phone number and National Identification Number; and receive payment confirmation and access the money through the wallet, bank transfer or authorised POS agent.

NERSI does not use an open application portal. Beneficiaries are identified using the National Social Register and verified national identity records. Priority goes to economically vulnerable households. Selection covers Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, but payments are processed in phases. A status showing NOT SELECTED means the person is not currently approved for payment. It does not guarantee inclusion in later batches.

What beneficiaries should know

Once payment is confirmed, beneficiaries can transfer the funds to bank accounts, buy goods or withdraw cash through participating POS agents. The government says receiving the grant is free, though normal POS withdrawal charges may apply. NERSI is a grant, not a loan. Beneficiaries do not repay the money. The programme describes the payment as a one-off ₦50,000 grant, although some public statements have referred to monthly support. Beneficiaries should not assume payments will recur without further official clarification.

The Federal Government has warned against people demanding registration fees or promising guaranteed inclusion. Nigerians should never disclose banking PINs, one-time passwords or BVNs to anyone claiming to represent the initiative. Suspicious payment requests and eligibility messages can be checked through the official NERSI helpline, 0700-022-2222. More information is available on the Federal Government's NERSI portal.

Separate SME support

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria's Conditional Grant Scheme provides ₦50,000 to eligible nano enterprises. It targets businesses operating at local government level, with funding intended for equipment purchases, stronger operations and employment.

For Nigerian households and small firms, the NERSI grant is targeted relief rather than a broad loan scheme. It may support immediate purchases for selected beneficiaries, but it does not replace open credit for businesses.