The Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians against fraudsters exploiting its ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) to defraud unsuspecting citizens through fake registration portals, WhatsApp messages and fraudulent social media links.
The warning comes amid growing confusion surrounding different government-backed ₦50,000 financial support schemes, with scammers allegedly capitalising on the situation to deceive Nigerians and obtain their personal and banking details.
The NERSI programme, announced on October 30, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households across the country.
Under the intervention, eligible beneficiaries will receive ₦50,000 monthly to cushion the effects of rising living costs.
According to the Federal Government, beneficiaries will be selected using verified national identity records and the National Social Register. They are not required to submit applications, pay registration fees or engage agents to secure the support.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR NERSI ELIGIBILITY
The government has identified five approved payment providers through which selected beneficiaries will receive notification and access their financial support.
Eligible Nigerians can use the following official USSD codes to check their eligibility:
ALAT by Wema Bank: Dial 94523#
MTN MoMo PSB: Dial 6710#
NairaGram: Dial 72600#
OPay: Dial 95520#
Moniepoint: Dial 557327#
The Federal Government explained that beneficiaries would receive official SMS notifications from the approved payment providers. Recipients are required to give their consent before the money is credited to their mobile wallets.
However, being able to dial the codes does not mean everyone will qualify. Selection is based on verified government records and established eligibility criteria.
NERSI IS NOT THE SAME AS THE SMEDAN ₦50,000 GRANT
Nigerians are also advised not to confuse NERSI with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Conditional Grant Scheme.
The SMEDAN programme is designed to support nano and micro-businesses, offering a one-time, non-refundable ₦50,000 grant to qualifying businesses, subject to the scheme’s conditions, including employment creation.
Interested business owners should obtain information only through SMEDAN’s official website:
The two programmes have different objectives, eligibility requirements and payment arrangements.
HOW TO IDENTIFY FAKE NERSI REGISTRATION LINKS
Nigerians are urged to exercise caution and observe the following security guidelines:
Avoid fake registration portals: NERSI does not require beneficiaries to complete online application forms or register through WhatsApp links.
Never pay registration fees: The ₦50,000 support is free. Anyone demanding money to facilitate selection or release payment is attempting to defraud you.
Protect your banking details: Never disclose your ATM PIN, OTP, password or other confidential banking information to anyone claiming to represent the government.
Verify every message: Genuine NERSI notifications come through the approved payment providers — ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. The programme does not send links asking beneficiaries to apply.
Use official government channels: Avoid websites with suspicious domain names and rely on the Federal Ministry’s verified NERSI platform for accurate information.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A SUSPICIOUS LINK
Nigerians who receive suspicious messages should avoid clicking the links or submitting personal information.
Anyone who has already disclosed sensitive banking information should immediately contact their bank through its official channels to secure their account, change compromised credentials and report the incident.
For complaints and enquiries concerning NERSI, the Federal Government has provided the following dedicated helpline:
NERSI Official Helpline: 0700-022-2222
Official NERSI Website: https://fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/
The Federal Government has reiterated that nobody can pay to secure a place on the beneficiary list or influence the selection process.
Nigerians are therefore advised to remain vigilant, verify information before sharing it and warn family members, friends and community groups against falling victim to grant-related scams.
