Ministry clarifies ₦50,000 relief grant as scam posts spread online

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has moved to clear up confusion over a ₦50,000 support grant, after viral social media posts urged Nigerians to register for the money.

In a statement issued by Kingsley Onuoha on behalf of the ministry's Director of Information and Public Relations, the ministry said the grant is meant for vulnerable households struggling with the rising cost of living.

The key message for ordinary Nigerians: there is nothing to apply for. According to the ministry, there is no registration portal and no application process, and no individual or agent can influence who is selected.

Who gets the money and how

The ministry said beneficiaries are drawn from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, covering all six geopolitical zones. Only households classified as very poor and vulnerable are eligible.

Each selected person is entitled to ₦50,000, paid in full with no deductions. The ministry stressed that the money is a grant, not a loan, and does not need to be repaid.

The only reliable sign that someone has been selected is an SMS from one of the government's authorised digital financial service providers, the ministry said. That message will carry instructions on how to accept the support.

Once a beneficiary gives consent through the USSD process, the ₦50,000 is credited straight to their mobile wallet. The ministry listed the approved platforms and codes as ALAT by Wema Bank (*94523#), MoMo PSB (*6710#), NairaGram (*72600#), OPay (*95520#) and Moniepoint (*557327#).

Because the process runs on USSD, beneficiaries do not need a smartphone or internet connection to access the money — a detail that matters for recipients in areas with poor network coverage.

How to avoid the scammers

The ministry warned Nigerians never to disclose their Personal Identification Number (PIN), One-Time Password (OTP) or Bank Verification Number (BVN) to anyone.

Onuoha said anyone demanding money or sensitive personal details in exchange for helping someone access the grant is attempting fraud.

Legit.ng reported that the scheme is known as NERSI, and that the ministry has previously said selection is fully automated.

Some Nigerians online have questioned why they were marked ineligible, and the ministry's latest statement does not address those complaints directly.

What happens next: Eligible households should watch for an SMS from an approved payment provider and follow its instructions. Anyone who receives a call or message asking for payment, a PIN, OTP or BVN should treat it as a scam and not respond.