₦50,000 NERSI Grant: Beneficiary Selection, Delayed SMS and Complaints
The Federal Government has provided further clarification on the selection of beneficiaries, delayed payment notifications and complaint procedures under its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
The intervention, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs.
Under the programme, selected beneficiaries receive ₦50,000 each as a non-repayable grant, paid directly into mobile wallets through approved financial service providers.
However, as payments continue in phases, many Nigerians are still waiting for SMS notifications, while some recipients have reported difficulties accessing their funds or getting responses from customer support.
The Federal Government has explained that the absence of an SMS does not necessarily mean an individual has been excluded, as payment providers are contacting beneficiaries in batches.
This report explains how the government selects beneficiaries, why notifications may be delayed, how to check eligibility and the official channels available for reporting payment-related problems.
What Is the FG’s ₦50,000 NERSI Relief Grant?
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is a Federal Government cash assistance programme established to support vulnerable households facing economic difficulties and rising living expenses.
The initiative is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Under the scheme, each selected beneficiary receives ₦50,000, credited to a mobile wallet operated by one of five government-approved payment providers.
The government has clarified that:
- The support is a grant, not a loan.
- Each selected beneficiary receives ₦50,000.
- The full amount is credited without deductions.
- Beneficiaries are not required to repay the money.
- There is no registration fee or application charge.
- No agent or government official can demand payment to secure inclusion.
The five approved payment providers are ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
How Does the Federal Government Select NERSI Beneficiaries?
One of the major questions surrounding the intervention is how the government identifies Nigerians who qualify for the ₦50,000 support.
According to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, beneficiaries are selected using existing records from two major sources:
1. National Social Register (NSR)
The National Social Register contains information on poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria.
The government uses the register to identify households that meet the programme’s poverty and vulnerability requirements.
2. Verified National Identity Records
The government also uses verified national identity records to support beneficiary identification and verification.
These records include information linked to the National Identification Number (NIN).
However, having a NIN does not automatically qualify an individual for the ₦50,000 grant.
The government combines information from the relevant records to identify and screen households based on poverty and vulnerability criteria.
The selection process covers all six geopolitical zones and is not determined by religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
The Ministry has also stressed that beneficiary selection is automated and cannot be influenced by individuals, government officials or third-party agents.
Why Have You Not Received the ₦50,000 NERSI SMS?
The government has explained that payment notifications are being sent in batches, which means beneficiaries will not necessarily receive their messages at the same time.
There are several possible reasons why you may not have received an SMS.
1. Payments Are Being Made in Phases
The Federal Government has confirmed that payment providers are contacting selected beneficiaries in batches.
Therefore, some beneficiaries may receive their notifications later than others.
Not receiving an SMS immediately does not automatically mean you have been excluded.
2. You May Not Be Selected in the Current Phase
The intervention is designed to support a limited number of vulnerable households at a time.
The government has clarified that not everyone will be selected during the current payment phase.
3. Your Household May Not Be on the Relevant Social Register
Since beneficiary identification relies on the National Social Register and verified identity records, individuals whose households are not included in the relevant records may not be selected.
4. You May Not Meet the Selection Criteria
The programme prioritises poor and vulnerable households. Having a NIN or other government identification does not guarantee selection.
The Ministry has not published a complete list of individual disqualification conditions or the precise scoring formula used to select beneficiaries.
How to Check Your NERSI ₦50,000 Grant Eligibility
The Federal Government has provided USSD channels through the five approved payment providers to enable Nigerians to check their eligibility.
The available channels include:
| Payment provider | USSD code |
|---|---|
| ALAT by Wema Bank | 94523# |
| MoMo PSB | 6710# |
| NairaGram | 72600# |
| OPay | 95520# |
| Moniepoint | 557327# |
To check your status, dial the relevant code from the phone number associated with your records and follow the instructions.
Where available, select the eligibility-check option.
If you have been selected, the provider will give you instructions on accepting the grant. If you are not currently selected, the system will display a notification indicating your status.
These codes do not constitute a new application or guarantee that you will receive the grant.
How to Receive the ₦50,000 NERSI Grant
If you have been selected, you will receive an SMS notification from one of the authorised payment providers.
The message will contain instructions for accepting the support.
Depending on your provider, you may be required to reply YES or dial the designated USSD code to confirm your acceptance.
Once you complete the process, the ₦50,000 will be credited to your mobile wallet.
The government has also clarified that beneficiaries do not need a smartphone or internet connection to access the USSD service.
Importantly, the grant is not credited until the beneficiary accepts the offer through the prescribed process.
Official NERSI Complaint Numbers and Payment Support Contacts
Beneficiaries who have received notifications but cannot access their funds are advised to contact the payment provider responsible for their wallets.
The published customer support contacts include:
| Payment provider | Customer support |
|---|---|
| ALAT by Wema Bank | 0803 900 3700 |
| MoMo PSB | 671 or 0803 106 7100 |
| NairaGram | 0201 330 0880 / 0201 330 0881 |
| OPay | 0700 888 8328 / 0201 888 8328 |
For general questions and complaints relating to the NERSI programme, beneficiaries can contact the dedicated government helpline:
NERSI official helpline: 0700-022-2222
The Ministry advises beneficiaries to contact their payment providers for wallet and transaction issues, while programme-related enquiries should be directed to the NERSI helpline.
Six Steps to Take If Your NERSI Complaint Is Not Resolved
If you have repeatedly contacted the NERSI helpline without receiving assistance, or your payment provider has not resolved your complaint, consider the following steps:
1. Contact Your Payment Provider
If you received an SMS but the money has not entered your wallet, contact the provider identified in your notification.
Explain the problem and request assistance with the transaction or wallet activation.
2. Use Official Customer Support Channels
You can also contact the payment provider through its official website or mobile application.
Report issues such as failed transactions, inaccessible wallets, missing credits or unsuccessful withdrawals.
3. Keep Evidence of Your Complaint
Retain your original notification SMS, transaction references, screenshots of failed transactions and any complaint reference numbers issued by customer service.
These records can help the provider investigate the issue.
4. Request Complaint Escalation
If your initial complaint is not resolved, request escalation through the provider’s established customer service process.
Keep a record of your previous complaints and follow-up dates.
5. Contact the NERSI Helpline Again
For unresolved questions about beneficiary selection or programme administration, contact 0700-022-2222.
Clearly explain your complaint and provide relevant details without disclosing confidential security information.
6. Use Official Government Communication Channels
For further programme information, visit the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction website or the dedicated NERSI information portal.
Official websites:
- NERSI portal: https://www.fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/
- Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs: https://fmhapr.gov.ng/
The Ministry has not published a separate NERSI online complaint form or a guaranteed resolution timeframe. Nigerians should therefore avoid unofficial websites claiming to offer special complaint registration.
How to Identify Genuine NERSI Grant Messages and Avoid Scams
The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against fraudsters who claim they can facilitate access to the ₦50,000 relief grant.
Genuine notifications are sent through the five authorised payment providers: ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
Beneficiaries should observe the following safety precautions:
- Do not pay anyone to register for the grant.
- Do not pay agents who promise to secure your inclusion.
- Never disclose your PIN or One-Time Password (OTP).
- Do not share your BVN or banking password with strangers.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links claiming to activate your payment.
- Do not send money to anyone who claims that your grant was credited by mistake.
- Verify suspicious calls or messages through your payment provider’s official customer support.
The government has reiterated that there is no public registration process and nobody can influence the selection process or accelerate payment in exchange for money.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ₦50,000 NERSI Grant
Is the ₦50,000 NERSI support a loan?
No. It is a Federal Government grant that selected beneficiaries do not have to repay.
Can I apply for the ₦50,000 NERSI grant online?
No. The government has stated that beneficiaries are selected from existing national social and verified identity records. There is no public application or registration process.
Does having a NIN guarantee payment?
No. A NIN supports identity verification but does not automatically qualify an individual for the grant.
Why have other people received the grant while I have not?
Payments are made in phases, and beneficiaries are contacted in batches. You may not yet have been contacted, or you may not have been selected in the current phase.
Can I check my eligibility without internet access?
Yes. The approved USSD channels work on basic mobile phones and do not require an internet connection.
Can someone help me secure the grant?
No individual or agent can add your name to the beneficiary list or influence the selection process.
What is the official NERSI complaint number?
The dedicated NERSI helpline is 0700-022-2222.
Which organisations are handling the payments?
ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint are the five approved payment providers.
Final Advice to Nigerians Waiting for the NERSI Grant
The Federal Government’s clarification indicates that the ₦50,000 NERSI relief grant is being distributed through a phased beneficiary selection and payment process.
Nigerians who have not received SMS notifications should understand that the delay does not automatically mean they have been excluded. However, the government has also made it clear that not everyone will be selected in the current phase.
Those who have received notifications but are experiencing payment difficulties should contact their designated payment providers and retain evidence of their complaints.
Most importantly, Nigerians should avoid paying agents or sharing sensitive banking information with anyone claiming to facilitate the grant.
For verified information, eligibility checks and programme enquiries, visit the official NERSI portal:
https://www.fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/
NERSI helpline: 0700-022-2222
