Federal Government Announces Five Digital Platforms for N50,000 Monthly Cash Support to Vulnerable Nigerians

The Federal Government of Nigeria has released a list of five approved digital banks and mobile‑money platforms that will distribute the N50,000 monthly cash assistance to households identified as poor and vulnerable. According to the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) website, the designated providers are ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. Beneficiaries will receive an SMS from the chosen provider with instructions, and must reply “YES” to confirm participation before a mobile wallet linked to their phone number and National Identification Number (NIN) is opened and funded.

The cash transfer, part of the Humanitarian Assistance Programme administered by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is intended to alleviate the impact of rising living costs on disadvantaged households. The government emphasised that the service is free of charge, that no separate registration or office visit is required, and warned against fraudsters demanding payment to secure a place on the list.

Background

The NERSI initiative is a shock‑responsive cash‑transfer scheme designed to provide rapid financial relief to households that meet eligibility criteria based on verified national identity records and the National Social Register. Beneficiaries are selected through these databases, and the programme’s guidelines stipulate that only the five approved providers may send the confirmation SMS. The platforms offer both USSD codes and mobile applications for users to access their wallets, withdraw cash, or make payments directly.

Legit.ng reported that, once funds are credited to the digital wallets, beneficiaries have three primary ways to retrieve the money: visiting a point‑of‑sale (POS) agent, transferring the amount to a commercial bank account, or withdrawing cash at the physical branches and agent networks of the respective providers. Users of ALAT by Wema Bank may obtain cash at Wema Bank branches, while MoMo PSB and NairaGram users can use their authorised agent networks. The withdrawal process typically involves entering a USSD code or using the mobile app to move funds to the chosen outlet, after which the agent dispenses cash, subject to any service charges.

Why it matters

The rollout directly affects millions of Nigerians who are classified as poor or vulnerable, offering them a predictable monthly cash flow to meet basic needs. By leveraging digital platforms, the government aims to reduce the logistical challenges of cash distribution and limit opportunities for corruption. The inclusion of multiple withdrawal channels—POS agents, bank transfers and provider‑specific branches—provides flexibility for recipients who may have varying access to banking infrastructure.

The programme also seeks to protect beneficiaries from fraud. The NERSI website cautioned that genuine messages will only originate from the five approved providers and will only request a simple “YES” reply or a USSD code entry. Recipients are advised not to share PINs, one‑time passwords or other security details with anyone, including agents or officials.

What happens next

The first batch of beneficiaries will receive their wallets and the N50,000 credit after confirming consent via SMS. The government noted that not all eligible households will be included in the initial disbursement, and that subsequent rounds will be processed as the programme expands. Beneficiaries are encouraged to verify the applicable service charges with their chosen provider before proceeding with any withdrawal. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction will continue to monitor the rollout and issue further guidance on eligibility verification, fraud prevention and any adjustments to the withdrawal mechanisms.