FG’s ₦50,000 NERSI grant: What selected Nigerians must do after replying YES

Selected Nigerians under the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) grant must complete an acceptance and confirmation process before funds hit their accounts. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction says a selection notification does not mean the money has been paid.

The ministry’s guidelines say beneficiaries must consent to the programme and follow instructions from their designated payment providers. Acceptance and payment are separate stages.

Five providers, one confirmation process

Eligible Nigerians will receive SMS notifications from one of five providers: ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. The message will ask them to accept the support by replying YES or by dialling an approved USSD code.

After accepting, the beneficiary must complete the confirmation steps in the message. A mobile wallet will then be opened or activated using the registered phone number and linked National Identification Number (NIN). The beneficiary should get another notification when the wallet is credited.

The ministry says a beneficiary who replies YES but does not complete the confirmation steps may not receive the payment. An initial selection message should also not be mistaken for proof that the ₦50,000 has arrived. Beneficiaries should check wallet balances through official USSD services or mobile applications from their payment providers.

No smartphone needed, no deductions

The government says the full ₦50,000 should be credited without deductions. Beneficiaries do not need smartphones or internet connections to accept the grant. The USSD option allows people using basic phones to complete the steps. They must use the phone number linked to their selection notification.

Anyone facing difficulties should contact the designated payment provider through verified customer service channels. Beneficiaries are advised to respond promptly to genuine notifications. Payment providers may send reminders to people who have not completed the process.

Guard your PIN and OTP

The ministry warned beneficiaries not to pay agents or share banking PINs and one-time passwords. More guidance is available on the official NERSI website or through the programme helpline, 0700-022-2222.

For consumers, the immediate issue is completing confirmation and avoiding fees or fraud. The guidelines say the full ₦50,000 should arrive without deductions.