Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Bernard Doro described the scheme as a presidential initiative intended to provide immediate financial assistance to millions of vulnerable Nigerians. The stated objective is to reduce the impact of rising food prices and other essential commodities on household budgets. According to the ministry, the intervention is not universal; it is strictly targeted at poor and vulnerable households identified through rigorous screening processes.
The mechanics of the NERSI programme rely heavily on digital infrastructure and existing financial data. Beneficiaries are selected using verified national identity records and the National Social Register. This dual-source screening is designed to ensure that funds reach those with genuine need, bypassing traditional bureaucratic hurdles. The government has emphasized that the selection process is objective and data-driven, with no provision for individual applications or paid registration. Individuals cannot apply independently; rather, they are identified by the state and notified accordingly.
Financially, the grant provides N50,000 per month to eligible recipients. The funds are intended to meet daily needs and reduce the cost-of-living burden. To ensure the money reaches the intended recipients quickly and transparently, the government has partnered with five licensed financial institutions: ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay, and Moniepoint. These providers will distribute the cash directly into mobile wallets linked to the beneficiary’s phone number and National Identification Number (NIN).
The delivery mechanism is designed to be accessible even to those with limited technological resources. The government has clarified that neither smartphones nor internet access are required to receive the grant. Basic mobile phones are sufficient, as the payment providers operate via Universal Subscriber Service Dialing (USSD) codes. For example, ALAT beneficiaries can dial 94523, while MoMo PSB users use 6710#. Other codes include 72600# for NairaGram, 95520# for OPay, and 557327# for Moniepoint. Smartphone users may also utilize the official mobile applications of MoMo PSB, OPay, or Moniepoint to manage their wallets.
Accessing the funds follows a strict four-step protocol. First, selected beneficiaries receive an SMS notification from their designated payment provider. Second, they must explicitly confirm their participation by replying “YES” or dialing the acceptance code. The government has stressed that “nothing is paid until you accept,” making consent a prerequisite for disbursement. Third, upon confirmation, a mobile wallet is opened and linked to the user’s NIN. Finally, the N50,000 is credited to the wallet, and the recipient receives a confirmation SMS with withdrawal instructions.
Withdrawal options are flexible. Recipients can withdraw the entire amount or a partial sum, with any remaining balance staying in the mobile wallet. Cash can be collected through Point of Sale (POS) agents by transferring funds from the wallet to the agent’s account, or directly at bank branches where available. The government has warned that the process is entirely free, urging the public to be wary of scams where individuals demand fees to “activate” wallets or release payments. Independent checks are conducted during each payment cycle to ensure the programme runs safely and without delay.
The rollout of NERSI is being conducted in phases. The government has noted that only a limited number of households are covered at any single time, meaning notifications will not arrive simultaneously for all eligible individuals. This phased approach allows for the management of liquidity and administrative load. If a beneficiary mistakenly declines the offer, they can dial the code again to change their decision to “Yes.” However, a recorded “No” will result in non-payment unless the decision is reversed.
While the programme offers a direct counter to household economic stress, its long-term efficacy remains subject to the broader macroeconomic environment. Rising global commodity prices continue to exert pressure on domestic costs, and the N50,000 grant is a targeted relief measure rather than a comprehensive solution to inflation. The government has stated it will review the plan periodically to take appropriate measures against the cost-of-living burden. For now, the focus remains on the immediate delivery of funds to the verified poor, with the next critical step being the successful activation of wallets and the withdrawal of cash by the notified beneficiaries.
