FG starts N50,000 monthly NERSI relief, OPay explains how selected beneficiaries can accept payment

The Federal Government has begun a N50,000 monthly cash relief programme for vulnerable Nigerians, with OPay and four other digital financial service providers selected to handle payments. The initiative, called the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is meant to help low-income households meet essential needs as living costs rise.

The programme commenced on October 30, 2026. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction said beneficiaries will be picked from verified national identity records and the National Social Register, using established poverty and vulnerability criteria. There is no application or registration process. Payments will be made in phases, so eligible Nigerians may not receive notifications at the same time.

How OPay customers can check

OPay customers who have been selected can check eligibility through the OPay mobile app or by dialling *955*20# with the phone number linked to their account. In the app, customers should check the homepage for a NERSI notification. If selected, they can open the notification and follow the instructions to accept the support. For USSD, they dial *955*20# and follow the prompts. The USSD option does not require a smartphone or internet connection.

Once consent is provided, the N50,000 will be credited to the beneficiary's mobile wallet. Selected recipients will receive text messages requesting their consent before payments are made.

Having OPay account is not enough

Having an OPay account does not automatically qualify a customer for the intervention. Beneficiary selection remains the responsibility of the Federal Government. OPay's role is to provide secure payment infrastructure. It does not determine who qualifies for the relief. The government said the programme is targeted at vulnerable Nigerians identified through verified national records, meaning not every Nigerian with an account on any approved payment platform will receive the money.

Fraud warnings

The relief programme has raised concerns about fraud targeting Nigerians seeking access to the funds. Nigerians are advised never to disclose their PIN, one-time password or other sensitive banking information. They should avoid paying registration or processing fees to access the relief. They should ignore suspicious links or messages from unverified sources and use only the official USSD codes and mobile applications of approved payment providers. The official NERSI helpline is 0700-022-2222.

The government emphasised that the intervention is free and that no individual or agent can guarantee selection or accelerate payment.

For households facing rising costs, the monthly N50,000 can support essential spending. But the relief is limited to beneficiaries selected through national records and the social register, so it is not a universal payment.