By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has clarified the eligibility criteria and payment procedures for its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), warning Nigerians against fraudsters seeking to exploit the programme.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in a press release issued on Friday, November 6, said the intervention was designed to support vulnerable households facing rising living costs.
According to the Ministry, beneficiaries will be selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, based on established poverty and vulnerability criteria, with coverage across the six geopolitical zones.
It stressed that there is no application or registration process, adding that beneficiary selection is automated and cannot be influenced by government officials, agents or other individuals.
The Ministry explained that each selected beneficiary would receive a ₦50,000 Federal Government grant in full, without deductions, and would not be required to repay the money.
On how beneficiaries would be notified, the Ministry said selected individuals would receive SMS notifications from authorised digital financial service providers, containing instructions on how to accept the support.
It listed the approved payment platforms and their USSD codes as ALAT by Wema Bank (94523#), MoMo PSB (*6710#), NairaGram (*72600#), OPay (95520#) and Moniepoint (557327#).
Beneficiaries are expected to follow the instructions in their notification, which may require replying to YES or dialling the designated USSD code to give consent and access the funds.
The Ministry noted that the money would be credited directly to beneficiaries’ mobile wallets and that the USSD service could be accessed without a smartphone or internet connection.
It further warned that nobody could pay to secure inclusion in the programme or fast-track payment, insisting that beneficiaries were not required to pay any fee, register through agents or click on registration links.
The Ministry also cautioned Nigerians against disclosing their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to anyone, describing demands for payment in exchange for the grant as fraudulent.
For enquiries and complaints, beneficiaries were advised to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparent, accountable and dignified delivery of the intervention in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
