The Federal Government has approved five digital payment platforms for beneficiaries of its ₦50,000 monthly cash support programme
The Federal Government has identified five digital payment platforms through which selected Nigerians will receive its ₦50,000 monthly cash support under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), as part of efforts to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households facing rising living costs.
The approved platforms are ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo Payment Service Bank (MoMo PSB), NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. Beneficiaries can access the funds through the platforms' mobile applications or designated Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes.
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The announcement, published on 5 November 2026, provides details of the payment channels, beneficiary confirmation process and requirements for accessing the intervention.
Five Approved Platforms and Their USSD Codes
The Federal Government has provided dedicated USSD access codes for beneficiaries who may not have access to smartphones or reliable internet services.
The approved payment platforms and their respective access codes are:
ALAT by Wema Bank: Dial 94523#.
MoMo PSB: Dial 6710#.
NairaGram: Dial 72600#.
OPay: Dial 95520# or use its mobile application.
Moniepoint: Dial 557327# or use its mobile application.
The availability of USSD channels alongside mobile applications provides alternative access for recipients, particularly those in communities where internet connectivity and smartphone ownership may limit access to digital financial services.
How Beneficiaries Will Receive the ₦50,000 Support
The programme targets poor and vulnerable households identified through verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
According to the programme's guidelines, selected beneficiaries will receive text message notifications from their designated payment providers. The messages will confirm their selection and explain the steps required to access the financial support.
Recipients must reply "YES" to the notification to confirm their consent to participate. Following confirmation, the payment provider will create a mobile wallet linked to the beneficiary's phone number and National Identification Number (NIN), after which the ₦50,000 support will be credited.
Beneficiaries can withdraw the funds through point-of-sale agents or at banks. They can also use the money directly from their mobile wallets to pay for goods and services.
The confirmation process links beneficiary identification to the payment system, providing a mechanism for directing funds to selected recipients.
Government Warns Against Fraudulent Cash Support Offers
The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against fraudsters seeking to exploit the cash support programme by demanding money from prospective beneficiaries.
According to the official NERSI guidelines, participation is free. Beneficiaries do not need to pay registration fees, submit separate applications or visit government offices to secure access to the intervention.
The government has also cautioned recipients against disclosing their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and account passwords to anyone, including payment agents and individuals claiming to represent the programme.
Genuine notifications will come through the five approved payment providers. The programme does not require beneficiaries to click external links or pay intermediaries to receive their funds.
The official programme portal also provides the following USSD codes, with the complete dialling format:
ALAT by Wema Bank: 94523#
MoMo PSB: 6710#
NairaGram: 72600#
OPay: 95520#
Moniepoint: 557327#
Cash Support to Reach Beneficiaries in Phases
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention forms part of the Federal Government's broader social protection response to rising living costs and economic pressures on vulnerable households.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction administers the intervention, which uses verified national identity records and the National Social Register to identify eligible recipients.
The Federal Government announced the commencement of NERSI on 30 October 2026, stating that eligible beneficiaries would receive ₦50,000 monthly to help meet essential household expenses.
The programme operates in phases, meaning selected households will not necessarily receive notifications at the same time. The government has clarified that not every eligible household will feature in the first batch.
Beneficiaries who have not received a notification should therefore avoid paying anyone who claims to offer assistance with selection or faster payment.
The government has also provided an official helpline, 0700-022-2222, for Nigerians seeking clarification about the programme or suspicious payment notifications.
Digital Payments and the Delivery of Social Protection
The selection of five digital financial service providers highlights the Federal Government's reliance on mobile payment infrastructure to distribute social assistance.
Using digital wallets and USSD channels gives beneficiaries different ways to access funds without depending entirely on conventional bank branches or internet-enabled devices. It also provides a direct payment mechanism that links beneficiary identification to the disbursement process.
However, the effectiveness of the intervention will depend on accurate beneficiary records, reliable payment systems and the ability of recipients to access their funds without unnecessary charges or administrative difficulties.
For vulnerable households, the ₦50,000 monthly support offers additional financial assistance towards essential expenses. Its broader impact will depend on consistent implementation, transparent beneficiary selection and effective monitoring of payments.
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