FG ₦50,000 Relief Fund: Eligibility, Payment Process and How Beneficiaries Can Receive It

The Federal Government has commenced a ₦50,000 cash relief programme for selected vulnerable Nigerians under a new initiative known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI). The support is intended to help low-income households cope with rising food prices and the increasing cost of essential goods.

The programme was announced on October 30, 2026, by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro. According to the minister, eligible beneficiaries will receive ₦50,000 monthly through approved financial service providers.

What Is the FG ₦50,000 Relief Fund?

The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention is a Federal Government initiative designed to provide immediate financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households. The programme forms part of the government’s wider social protection efforts, particularly as households continue to experience pressure from inflation and the high cost of basic necessities.

The money is provided as a grant, not a loan. Beneficiaries are therefore not expected to repay the ₦50,000 received. Payments are made through approved digital financial service providers, including ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.

Who Is Eligible for the ₦50,000 Support?

The intervention targets poor and vulnerable Nigerian households across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

According to the programme’s official guidelines, beneficiaries are identified using verified national identity records and the National Social Register. The selection process is intended to reach households considered most in need of financial assistance.

However, the government has clarified that not everyone will be selected in the initial payment phase. Disbursement will take place in batches, meaning some eligible households may receive notifications later than others.

Importantly, individuals cannot independently apply or pay to have their names included on the beneficiary list. Selected beneficiaries will receive an SMS notification from one of the approved payment providers informing them of their selection.

Recipients will then be required to confirm their participation by replying YES or following the instructions provided in the message. After consent is given, a mobile wallet will be created and linked to the beneficiary’s phone number and National Identification Number (NIN).

The ₦50,000 grant will subsequently be credited to the wallet. Beneficiaries can withdraw the money through participating agents, transfer it to bank accounts or spend directly from their wallets.

The approved providers include:

• ALAT by Wema Bank: *945*23#
• MoMo PSB: *671*0#
• NairaGram: *726*00#
• OPay: *955*20#
• Moniepoint: *5573*27#

These are the providers’ published service codes. Beneficiaries should follow the instructions in their official notifications.

FG Warns Nigerians Against Relief Fund Scams

The government has warned Nigerians against fraudsters attempting to exploit public interest in the programme.

According to the official guidelines, receiving the grant is completely free. Beneficiaries should not pay registration, activation or processing fees to anyone claiming to facilitate their selection.

Nigerians are also advised never to disclose their ATM PIN, one-time password (OTP) or other confidential banking information. Suspicious messages and requests for payment should be treated with caution.

For enquiries or complaints, the official NERSI helpline is 0700-022-2222. More information is available on the programme’s official website.

What Nigerians Should Know

The FG ₦50,000 relief fund represents another attempt by the government to provide direct financial assistance to households facing economic hardship.

While the programme is expected to support selected vulnerable families, Nigerians should understand that selection is based on verified government records rather than public registration.

Beneficiaries are encouraged to rely on official notifications and programme updates as the government continues its phased disbursement.