By Our Reporter
The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of ₦50,000 cash support to selected vulnerable Nigerians under its National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
The programme, launched on October 30, 2026, is aimed at providing financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households facing the rising cost of living and inflation.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced that eligible beneficiaries would receive direct financial support through approved digital financial service providers.
OPay is among the approved payment providers and has outlined steps through which selected beneficiaries can check their eligibility and accept the payment.
For Nigerians using OPay, the following are the steps to check eligibility and access the ₦50,000 support.
How to Check Eligibility Through OPay
1. Dial the USSD code: Open your phone dialler and dial *955*20# using the phone number linked to your OPay account.
2. Follow the instructions: Select the appropriate option and follow the prompts to check your eligibility and accept the support.
3. Use the OPay application: Alternatively, log in to your OPay app and check the homepage for a notification indicating whether you have been selected.
4. Accept the support: If selected, follow the instructions provided to give your consent and complete the process.
5. Receive your payment: Once the process is completed, the ₦50,000 support will be credited to your designated mobile wallet.
Who Is Eligible for the ₦50,000 Support?
Under the Federal Government’s NERSI programme guidelines, beneficiaries are selected from verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
The intervention targets poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
However, the government has stated that individuals cannot independently apply for the support or pay to be included on the beneficiaries’ list. Selection is based on verified records and established screening procedures.
Payments are also being made in phases, meaning that eligible beneficiaries may not receive notifications at the same time.
Applicants and members of the public are advised to rely on official government and approved payment-provider channels for information about the intervention and to avoid paying anyone who claims to guarantee access to the funds.
