The Federal Government has clarified the process used to identify beneficiaries of its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) and other social support programmes, stressing that selection relies on existing official databases rather than public applications.
Announced on 30 October 2026 by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, NERSI is designed to provide one-off financial relief to poor and vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs. Each selected beneficiary receives the full ₦50,000 as a grant—not a loan—with no deductions and no repayment obligation. Payments are being rolled out in phases across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Selection from the National Social Register
Beneficiaries are drawn from the National Social Register (NSR), coordinated by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), and cross-checked against verified National Identification Number (NIN) records issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The NSR contains data on more than 70 million individuals from poor and vulnerable households nationwide.
According to NASSCO, compilation of the register follows a structured, multi-stage process:
- Geographic targeting: States rank local government areas by poverty levels, prioritising the most deprived.
- Community ranking: Communities are assessed on the availability of basic amenities and infrastructure.
- Community-based targeting: Trained enumerators work with community leaders and residents to identify vulnerable households.
- Proxy Means Testing: Household data is analysed through an algorithm that estimates welfare levels. Households ranked in the bottom six deciles (the poorest) may qualify for inclusion in the National Beneficiary Register used for cash transfers and similar interventions.
Only those meeting poverty and vulnerability criteria advance. The ministry has repeatedly stated that selection is based solely on need and covers households across all zones regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
No applications or agents
The government has emphasised that Nigerians cannot apply, register online, or pay any agent or official to be included. “You cannot apply, and no one can add you to the list,” programme guidelines state. Selection is automated using established records. Being on the NSR does not automatically guarantee payment; further screening confirms eligibility for specific interventions such as NERSI.
Payments are processed through five approved digital financial service providers: ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. Selected individuals receive an SMS notification from one of these providers with instructions and a USSD code to accept the grant. Once consent is given, the full ₦50,000 is credited to a mobile wallet. The service works without a smartphone or internet connection.
USSD codes provided by the ministry include:
- ALAT: 94523#
- MoMo PSB: 6710#
- NairaGram: 72600#
- OPay: 95520#
- Moniepoint: 557327#
Because disbursements occur in batches, the absence of an SMS does not necessarily mean permanent exclusion. Beneficiaries who have not yet been contacted may still be reached in subsequent phases.
Warnings against fraud
The ministry has warned the public against fake registration links, agents demanding fees, or requests for PINs, OTPs or BVNs. Legitimate notifications come only from the five authorised providers. A dedicated enquiry line (07000222222) has been publicised for verification.
The same National Social Register underpins other Federal Government social interventions, including earlier cash-transfer programmes. Officials say the data-driven approach aims to target support more accurately while reducing opportunities for manipulation.
As payments continue in phases, the government maintains that the process remains strictly needs-based and free of individual influence.
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