Nigerian households can claim N50,000 monthly relief through approved mobile money platforms

Federal Government launches N50,000 monthly relief programme

On 7 November 2026, the Nigerian Federal Government announced the launch of a new monthly cash relief programme, the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI). The scheme aims to provide ₦50,000 to vulnerable households each month to help cope with rising living costs.

A group of authorized mobile money services, such as MoMo PSB, ALAT by Wema, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint, is responsible for executing the initiative. MTN customers will receive services through MoMo PSB, whereas OPay serves as the primary channel for its own user base.

Participants are identified by cross-referencing confirmed national identity data with the National Social Register. Officials have explained that NERSI funds will be deposited into a recipient's mobile wallet after they provide consent and finish the required acceptance procedures.

Background

The NERSI initiative is part of the federal government’s effort to stabilise households facing economic pressure. Earlier announcements indicated that the programme would be rolled out in phases, meaning some eligible households may receive notifications later than others.

MTN Nigeria Support has clarified that any message instructing subscribers to send “YES” to a code in order to receive the cash within 24 hours is false. The company warned subscribers not to click on unverified links, disclose personal information, or make payments based on such messages.

OPay has issued guidance for its users, explaining how to confirm selection via the app or by dialing *955*20# from the phone number linked to the account. Users who receive a notification in the app are instructed to follow the in‑app instructions to accept the payment.

Why it matters

The programme directly affects vulnerable households across Nigeria, providing a regular financial cushion. The government’s insistence that no registration fee or agent payments are required is intended to prevent fraud and ensure that only selected beneficiaries receive the funds.

Both MTN and OPay have emphasised that eligibility decisions rest with the government authorities, not the payment platforms. The official NERSI portal confirms that beneficiaries are identified through verified identity records, aiming to minimise the risk of scams.

What happens next

Payments are being made in phases, and beneficiaries who have not yet received a notification may need to wait for the next round. The government and the mobile money operators have not announced a specific timetable for the remaining phases.

Users are advised to trust only official communications from MTN and NERSI and to ignore any unconfirmed messages claiming to process payments.