The Federal Government of Nigeria has released comprehensive details regarding the states covered by its N50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) programme. The government has reassured citizens that this vital initiative extends its reach to all six geopolitical zones across the nation, alongside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This clarification was provided in a statement issued on Friday by Janet Mcdickson Noah, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. The statement sought to address public inquiries concerning both the geographical scope and the specific eligibility criteria for this crucial relief programme.
According to the Ministry, the intervention is designed to assist vulnerable households spanning every one of Nigeria's 36 states, in addition to the FCT. The selection process for beneficiaries, the government affirmed, is predicated on robust criteria related to poverty and vulnerability, drawing data from the National Social Register and authenticated national identity records.
States Encompassed By The N50,000 NERSI Payment
The Ministry meticulously outlined the states included in the programme, categorised by their respective geopolitical zones:
- South-West: Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
- South-East: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
- South-South: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.
- North-Central: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau, including the FCT.
- North-East: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.
- North-West: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Crucially, the Ministry emphasised that the selection of beneficiaries is based purely on need, explicitly stating that religious affiliation, ethnicity, or political allegiance play no part in the qualification process.
Accessing The N50,000 NERSI Payment: USSD Codes And Procedures
The Federal Government detailed the straightforward process for selected beneficiaries to confirm their eligibility and accept the N50,000 grant. Individuals will receive text messages from one of five officially approved payment providers: ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint.
This notification will clearly identify the designated payment provider and will contain a unique USSD code. Beneficiaries are instructed to dial this code to confirm their eligibility and formally accept the grant. Alternatively, Nigerians can directly dial their provider's official USSD code and select the option for checking eligibility:
- ALAT by Wema: Dial *945*23#
- MoMo PSB: Dial *671*0#
- NairaGram: Dial *726*00#
- OPay: Dial *955*20#
- Moniepoint: Dial *557*327#
The government further clarified that beneficiaries must accept the offer before the funds can be credited to their mobile wallets. In cases where an individual mistakenly selects the 'No' option, they can simply redial the code and change their response to 'Yes'. Failure to accept the offer will result in the non-receipt of the payment.
An important aspect of this initiative is its accessibility: the process does not necessitate a smartphone or an internet connection, as the provided USSD codes are functional on basic mobile phones. Beneficiaries have the flexibility to withdraw the money through POS agents by transferring funds from their mobile wallets. They can also choose to withdraw the full N50,000, take a partial amount, or transfer it to any bank account.
Government Issues Warning Against NERSI Payment Fraud
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the government had issued a stern warning to Nigerians regarding potential fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the relief programme to steal personal and financial information. It was stressed that the N50,000 payment is a direct grant, not a loan, and beneficiaries are entitled to receive the full amount without any deductions.
The government also clarified that payments are being disbursed in phases. This means that selected beneficiaries may not receive their notifications or payments simultaneously, advising patience as the programme rolls out across the country.