Checked against the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction’s own website on 5 November 2026. Everything on this page comes from the Ministry’s official NERSI page and the Minister’s statement of 30 October 2026.
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Warning: there is no NERSI registration portal. The Ministry says you cannot apply, you do not need to register, pay or visit an office, and no one can add you to the list. Any website, WhatsApp message, form or “agent” offering NERSI registration or asking for a fee is not from the government. Do not enter your NIN, BVN, PIN or OTP on such sites. If you are unsure, call the official NERSI help line: 0700-022-2222.
What is NERSI?
NERSI stands for the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention. It is a Federal Government relief programme to help poor and vulnerable households cope with living costs. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction runs it. The Minister, Dr Bernard Doro, announced its start on 30 October 2026 and described it as a Presidential initiative.
Selected beneficiaries receive ₦50,000 into a mobile wallet. The Minister’s statement says eligible beneficiaries will receive ₦50,000 monthly, and that the amount will be reviewed regularly, with beneficiaries told directly before any change. The Ministry says it is a grant, not a loan, and nothing is deducted.
How beneficiaries are selected
- Beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, then screened to reach poor and vulnerable households.
- You cannot apply, and no one can add you to the list, for a fee or as a favour.
- Beneficiaries are spread across all six geopolitical zones and are selected on need, whatever their religion, ethnic group or political affiliation.
- Payments go out in phases, and not everyone is selected in the first group.
How you are contacted and paid
- You get an SMS from one of the five approved payment providers: ALAT (Wema Bank), MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint.
- You accept by dialling the code in the SMS (or replying YES). Nothing is paid without your consent.
- Your wallet opens, linked to your phone number and NIN.
- ₦50,000 is credited and you get a confirmation SMS. You can cash out at a POS agent or bank, or transfer to your bank account.
A basic phone is enough; the codes work without internet. The Ministry says to accept as soon as you can after the SMS, and your provider will send reminders.
Provider codes listed by the Ministry
- ALAT (Wema Bank): *945*23#
- MoMo PSB: *671*0#
- NairaGram: *726*00#
- OPay: *955*20# or the OPay app
- Moniepoint: *5573*27# or the Moniepoint app
Not sure if you were selected? The Ministry says you can dial a provider’s code and choose Check eligibility. If you are not on the list you will see: “You are currently not selected to receive this relief support.”
How to tell a real NERSI message from a fake one
The Ministry gives three checks. A genuine message:
- comes only from ALAT, MoMo, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint;
- only asks you to reply YES or dial your provider’s code;
- never asks for money, your PIN, OTP or BVN, and never contains a link.
The Ministry also says:
- Nobody will ask you for money to “release” or “unlock” your support.
- The programme never sends links or asks you to download an unknown app.
- WhatsApp chain messages that say “forward this to get ₦50,000” are fake.
- If someone says your payment was a mistake and asks you to send it back, do not send anything; call your provider.
- When you cash out at a POS agent, the agent may charge their usual withdrawal fee. Ask before you withdraw.
Official help lines
- NERSI programme help line: 0700-022-2222 (questions about the programme, or to report anyone asking for money)
- ALAT by Wema: 0803 900 3700
- MoMo PSB: 671 or 0803 106 7100
- NairaGram: 0201 330 0880 or 0201 330 0881
- OPay: 0700 888 8328 or 0201 888 8328
The Ministry’s page does not list a separate Moniepoint help line; Moniepoint customers should use the contact details in their Moniepoint app.
Official page: www.fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/. We are not part of the programme and cannot check or add names. We will update this page when the Ministry publishes changes.