The Federal Government has provided further clarification on how Nigerians selected for the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) will receive the ₦50,000 financial support.
According to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the programme is designed to support vulnerable Nigerians identified through existing government records, including the National Social Register and verified national identity databases.
However, there is something Nigerians need to understand: this is not an open registration programme.
The ministry explained that beneficiaries are selected based on poverty and vulnerability assessments across the country's six geopolitical zones. This means there is no public application form, registration link or online portal where people can apply to become beneficiaries.
How Will Beneficiaries Receive the ₦50,000?
The support is a direct cash grant, not a loan. Every selected beneficiary is entitled to ₦50,000, and the ministry says the full amount will be credited without deductions.
But how will the money get to the beneficiaries?
Once a person is selected, an official SMS will be sent through their designated payment provider. The recipient will then need to follow the instructions in the message and give the required consent before the money is transferred into their mobile wallet.
The process also does not require an expensive smartphone or internet connection. Beneficiaries can use the relevant Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code to complete the process.
What Should You Do If You Are Selected?
If you receive an official message concerning the NERSI grant, do not ignore it. Carefully read the instructions and follow the steps provided by your designated payment platform.
The ministry also explained that notifications may be sent in batches. Therefore, not receiving an SMS immediately does not necessarily mean you have been excluded from the programme.
Beware of Fraudsters!
This is perhaps the most important part of the announcement.
The ministry has warned Nigerians against individuals and groups claiming they can secure a place on the beneficiary list or speed up payment in exchange for money.
No government official, agent or third party has been authorised to collect money from applicants or influence the selection process.
Remember these simple points:
There is no registration form to fill out.
Nobody should ask you to pay a fee to receive the grant.
Never share your ATM PIN, One-Time Password (OTP) or Bank Verification Number (BVN) with anyone.
Do not click suspicious links claiming to offer NERSI registration.
Only follow instructions received through officially approved payment channels.
For enquiries, clarification or complaints, Nigerians can contact the NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
What Nigerians Should Know
The ₦50,000 NERSI intervention is intended to provide financial relief to selected vulnerable households. If you believe you qualify, the best thing to do is remain patient and be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed access to the money.
Do not allow the desire to receive government assistance to make you a victim of fraud.
Share this information with family members, friends and others who may need it. A little awareness can save someone from losing their hard-earned money to fraudsters.