Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Federal Government has explained why some Nigerians have yet to receive text message notifications for its ₦50,000 monthly relief grant, saying payments under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) are being distributed in phases.
The clarification comes as Nigerians begin receiving notifications about the cash assistance programme, which was introduced to support vulnerable households facing rising living costs and the increasing prices of essential goods.
According to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, beneficiaries are contacted in batches through approved financial service providers. This means that selected individuals may receive their notifications at different times rather than simultaneously.
The government has also clarified that not everyone will be included in the initial payment phase, as the programme is designed to reach identified poor and vulnerable households using existing national records.
The explanation is particularly important for Nigerians who have heard about the payments but have not received an SMS, with some uncertain about whether they have been excluded from the programme.
The government says the absence of an immediate notification does not necessarily mean that a person has been permanently excluded. However, it has not guaranteed that everyone who is not selected in the current phase will receive the grant in a subsequent batch.
FG Explains How the ₦50,000 Relief Programme Works
The Federal Government announced the commencement of NERSI on October 30, 2026, through a statement issued by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.
Under the intervention, eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive ₦50,000 monthly to help meet essential household needs and reduce the financial pressure associated with the rising cost of living.
The ministry said it was working with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure that payments reach beneficiaries through mobile wallets and supported financial channels.
Unlike programmes that require applicants to complete new registration forms, NERSI relies on existing government records to identify potential beneficiaries.
The official programme guidelines state that selected individuals will receive SMS notifications from approved payment providers. Recipients must then follow the instructions and provide consent before the money is credited.
The government has emphasised that the payment is a grant, not a loan, meaning beneficiaries are not expected to repay the money.
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Why Some Nigerians Have Not Received SMS Notifications
The government has identified phased disbursement as one of the main reasons some Nigerians have not received notifications.
Under the arrangement, payment providers contact beneficiaries in different batches. Consequently, people selected for the programme may not receive their messages on the same day.
There is also a distinction between being eligible under the programme’s general selection criteria and being selected for a particular payment phase.
The government says beneficiaries are identified through verified national identity records and the National Social Register, which contains information about poor and vulnerable households.
This means that having a bank account, mobile money wallet or National Identification Number does not automatically guarantee selection.
The programme’s official portal explains that individuals who check their eligibility and receive a message indicating that they are not currently selected may not be included in the present batch.
However, the government has not published a comprehensive timetable showing when each group or state will receive its notifications.
Nigerians who have not received messages are therefore advised to use the official eligibility-checking channels rather than rely on unofficial announcements or individuals claiming to have access to the beneficiary list.
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Five Approved Payment Providers and Their USSD Codes
The Federal Government has approved five financial service providers to facilitate the distribution of the ₦50,000 relief payments.
According to the programme’s official website, beneficiaries can use the following channels:
| Payment provider | USSD code |
|---|---|
| ALAT by Wema Bank | 94523# |
| MoMo PSB | 6710# |
| NairaGram | 72600# |
| OPay | 95520# |
| Moniepoint | 557327# |
Beneficiaries should use the code corresponding to their payment provider and follow the instructions provided.
The USSD services allow people to access the process without necessarily having a smartphone or an internet connection.
However, the availability of these codes does not mean that everyone who dials them will qualify for the grant. Selection is determined through the government’s beneficiary identification process.
The ministry’s guidelines also explain that selected beneficiaries must consent to participate before their payments are processed.
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How the Federal Government Selects Beneficiaries
The NERSI programme uses existing government databases to identify households considered poor and vulnerable.
According to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, beneficiary selection draws on verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
The National Social Register contains information used by the government to identify households requiring social protection and financial assistance.
The approach is intended to reduce the need for fresh applications and allow the government to identify potential beneficiaries through established records.
The programme’s published guidelines explain that eligible households are screened using poverty indicators, with the objective of directing assistance towards those facing the greatest economic difficulties.
Registration with the relevant national identity and social protection systems is therefore important for the identification process.
However, Nigerians should understand that being registered in these databases does not automatically mean they will receive the payment.
The government has also made clear that individuals cannot pay agents or programme officials to secure a place on the beneficiary list.
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FG Warns Nigerians Against Fraudulent Grant Messages
As interest in the ₦50,000 relief programme grows, the Federal Government has warned Nigerians to remain vigilant against fraudsters attempting to exploit the initiative.
The ministry has emphasised that participation in NERSI is free. Beneficiaries are not required to pay registration charges, processing fees or money to agents to receive their support.
According to the official programme guidelines, genuine notifications should come from the approved payment providers: ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
The government has also warned that programme officials and payment providers will not request beneficiaries’ personal identification numbers, one-time passwords or banking security credentials to release the funds.
Nigerians have been advised to avoid suspicious links, unofficial registration platforms and individuals promising to secure their selection in exchange for money.
The programme does not require beneficiaries to forward messages on WhatsApp, download applications from unknown sources or pay intermediaries.
The Federal Government has provided an official helpline, 0700-022-2222, for Nigerians seeking clarification or assistance regarding the intervention.
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What the ₦50,000 Monthly Grant Means for Vulnerable Households
The introduction of NERSI comes amid continued pressure on household budgets in Nigeria.
Rising food prices, transportation costs, housing expenses and other essential expenditures have reduced the purchasing power of many households.
For families with limited or irregular incomes, direct financial assistance can provide temporary support for food purchases, healthcare, transportation and other basic needs.
The Federal Government says the intervention is intended to provide immediate relief while strengthening household resilience.
Minister Bernard Doro said the programme would be reviewed regularly in response to changes in the cost of living, with beneficiaries expected to receive direct notification before any adjustments.
Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the intervention will depend on how consistently payments reach the intended households, the accuracy of beneficiary selection and the transparency of the disbursement process.
The phased payment arrangement also means that communication will be important, particularly for people who may mistakenly believe that a delayed notification indicates permanent exclusion.
There is currently no publicly established comprehensive payment calendar showing when every beneficiary group will receive its notification.
What Nigerians Should Do If They Have Not Received the SMS
Nigerians who have not received a notification should avoid making payments to anyone claiming to facilitate access to the grant.
They can follow these steps:
- Check their eligibility through the USSD service provided by their relevant payment provider.
- Monitor SMS notifications from the approved financial service providers.
- Follow the official instructions if they receive a genuine selection message.
- Provide the required consent before expecting payment.
- Contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222 if they encounter difficulties or suspect fraud.
The government has explained that payments are being made in phases, but selection for a later batch is not guaranteed.
Beneficiaries should also remember that the programme is free and that no legitimate representative should request their PIN, OTP or payment to release the money.
What Happens Next?
The Federal Government is expected to continue implementing the NERSI intervention through its approved payment providers.
As disbursement progresses, more beneficiaries may receive notifications, depending on the programme’s selection and payment arrangements.
However, the absence of a published nationwide payment timetable means Nigerians should rely on official ministry announcements and the programme’s website for updates.
The government will also face the task of ensuring that the intervention reaches the households it is intended to support while maintaining transparency and protecting beneficiaries from fraud.
For now, the central message from the authorities is that delayed SMS notifications do not automatically mean permanent exclusion. Payments are being processed in phases, and only individuals selected through the official process will receive the support.
The programme’s progress will ultimately be measured not only by the amount of money announced but also by how effectively it reaches vulnerable households across Nigeria.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction – National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI)
- Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation – Statement on the Commencement of NERSI, October 30, 2026
- TheCable – FG to Begin Monthly N50,000 Cash Transfers to Vulnerable Nigerians
- Premium Times – FG Begins N50,000 Monthly Cash Payment to Vulnerable Nigerians
- Punch Newspapers – FG Begins N50,000 Relief Payments to Vulnerable Nigerians
