Federal Government explains phased rollout and SMS delays of N50,000 relief grant

The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified why a number of citizens have not yet received text‑message alerts for the N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) grant. According to information posted on the programme’s website and reported by Punch on 5 November 2026, payments are being released in phases and beneficiaries are contacted in batches by the five approved payment providers. The government stressed that a missing SMS does not automatically mean exclusion from the scheme, as the current phase targets a limited pool of households.

The NERSI programme, managed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, aims to help vulnerable households cope with rising living costs. Beneficiaries receive the cash assistance through mobile wallets operated by the approved providers, and the grant is not a loan and requires no repayment. The government has also issued guidance on how recipients can confirm their status, accept the offer and withdraw the funds without needing a smartphone or internet connection.

Background

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration launched the NERSI scheme as a response to severe economic hardship caused by soaring food and energy prices. Eligibility is determined solely from verified government records rather than applications or nominations, as detailed by Legit.ng on 4 November 2026. The programme’s frequently asked questions, cited by Punch, explain that payment providers contact beneficiaries in batches, meaning some recipients may receive their SMS notifications later than others. The rollout is intentionally phased to support a limited number of households at a time.

Five payment providers have been approved to distribute the funds. OPay and Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, among others, have published instructions for their customers to check eligibility. OPay advises users to dial *955*20# from the phone number linked to their OPay account or use its mobile app, warning against sharing PINs or paying fees. Moniepoint instructs customers to dial *5573*27# from their registered numbers to verify eligibility and receive the grant directly into their Moniepoint accounts.

Why it matters

The NERSI grant targets vulnerable households struggling with the high cost of living, offering a one‑off cash injection of N50,000. By using mobile wallets, the government seeks to reach recipients quickly and without the need for internet access. However, the phased approach and batch notifications have led to confusion among some Nigerians who have not yet received SMS alerts. The government’s clarification aims to reassure those awaiting messages that they may still be part of later batches.

The ability to verify eligibility through USSD codes and mobile apps is crucial, as it helps prevent fraud and reduces the risk of scammers exploiting the programme. Both OPay and Moniepoint have explicitly warned users against paying fees or sharing sensitive banking details, underscoring the importance of secure verification methods.

What happens next

The government advises anyone who wishes to confirm their status to use the USSD code of their payment provider and follow the prompts to check eligibility. As the phased disbursement continues, additional batches of SMS notifications are expected to be sent out. The programme’s website will be updated with further FAQs, and beneficiaries who are confirmed in later phases will receive instructions on how to accept the grant and withdraw the funds.

The rollout will proceed until the allocated number of households has been supported, after which the government may assess the impact and consider further assistance measures, although no specific timeline for completion has been announced.