Bola Tinubu
The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of ₦50,000 monthly cash relief to eligible vulnerable households under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the start of the programme in a statement issued on October 30, 2026, in Abuja. He described NERSI as a presidential initiative designed to provide immediate financial assistance to millions of vulnerable Nigerians amid rising living costs and food inflation.
“Under this intervention, eligible beneficiaries will receive ₦50,000 monthly, providing direct assistance to help meet essential needs and ease the burden of living costs,” Doro said.
The programme is being implemented in phases across all six geopolitical zones. Beneficiaries are selected from verified national identity records and the National Social Register, with screening focused on poor and vulnerable households. Selection is based on need and is independent of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
How Payments Work
Disbursements are handled exclusively through licensed digital financial service providers to ensure transparency, reduce leakages and eliminate intermediaries. The approved providers and their USSD codes are:
- ALAT by Wema (94523#)
- MoMo PSB (6710#)
- NairaGram (72600#)
- OPay (95520#)
- Moniepoint (557327#)
Selected beneficiaries receive an SMS from one of these providers requesting consent. Once consent is given, the funds are paid directly into the beneficiary’s bank account or mobile wallet. The full ₦50,000 is transferred with no deductions by the programme.
Beneficiaries do not need to apply, pay any fees, or register through agents. The government has warned Nigerians against fraudsters demanding money or personal details such as PINs, BVNs or NINs in exchange for inclusion in the scheme.
“Never share your PIN or BVN with anyone,” Doro cautioned. He advised those unsure about any message to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
Accessing the Funds
Once credited, recipients can withdraw cash through Point-of-Sale (POS) agents, transfer the money to other accounts, or spend directly from their mobile wallets. Transaction charges may apply depending on the provider and channel used.
The ministry stated that the intervention will be reviewed regularly in line with changes in the cost of living, with beneficiaries notified in advance of any adjustments.
As payments continue in phases, Nigerians are encouraged to monitor messages from the approved providers and avoid unofficial channels or individuals claiming to facilitate access to the relief.
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