The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) programme, targeting poor and vulnerable households. The programme provides a ₦50,000 grant to selected beneficiaries, who can check their status and accept the support through five designated payment providers: ALAT by Wema, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of the intervention on October 30, 2026. According to his official statement, beneficiaries will receive payment after consenting through their designated financial service providers. The selection process involves identifying poor and vulnerable households from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
Beneficiaries are selected from all six geopolitical zones, and the selection process does not depend on religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. Providers contact beneficiaries in phases, which is why people in the same community may receive notifications at different times. Having a National Identification Number (NIN), appearing on a social register, or experiencing financial hardship does not automatically qualify someone for payment.
There is no public NERSI application form, and applicants do not need an agent, political representative, or registration payment to secure consideration. The government verification process determines selection, and opening accounts with several providers does not replace that selection process. People seeking information about inclusion in the wider social register can contact the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) or their State Operations Coordinating Unit.
The five approved payment channels have provided USSD codes and other access options for beneficiaries to check and accept their payments. The codes are as follows: ALAT by Wema (*945*23#), MoMo PSB (*671*0#), NairaGram (*726*00#), OPay (*955*20#), and Moniepoint (*5573*27#). Beneficiaries should use the phone number associated with their notification and payment record to check their eligibility and accept the payment.
A "not selected" response means the check has not identified the person as an approved recipient at that time. It is not an instruction to pay a processing fee, submit information to an unofficial website, or approach a middleman. Beneficiaries who encounter any issues during the process should contact NERSI rather than pay someone to activate the feature.
The ₦50,000 grant does not require repayment, and beneficiaries can transfer the money to a bank account or arrange a cash withdrawal through an appropriate agent. The payment belongs to the selected recipient, and assistance does not authorise someone else to claim it. The ministry says a recipient's wallet is linked to their phone number and NIN.
Key points
- The Federal Government has launched the NERSI programme to provide a ₦50,000 grant to poor and vulnerable households.
- Beneficiaries can check their status and accept the payment through five designated payment providers.
- The selection process involves identifying poor and vulnerable households from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
