FG Explains Selection Process for ₦50,000 NERSI Relief Fund, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has clarified the selection process for beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), explaining that eligible Nigerians will be selected through existing national social and identity databases without any application or registration.

The ministry said the intervention was designed to provide financial support to vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs across the country.

In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Janet Mcdickson Noah, the ministry said the clarification was necessary to help Nigerians understand how the programme works and prevent misinformation surrounding the selection of beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries will be identified through the National Social Register and verified national identity records.

According to the ministry, beneficiaries will be identified through the National Social Register and verified national identity records, using established poverty and vulnerability criteria.

It added that the selection process covers all six geopolitical zones to ensure that vulnerable households across the country benefit from the intervention.

The ministry stressed that there is no application or registration process for the programme, warning that no individual, group or agent has the authority to influence the selection of beneficiaries.

Under the intervention, each selected beneficiary will receive a one-time payment of ₦50,000, which the ministry emphasised is a grant and not a loan. Beneficiaries are therefore not required to repay the money.

It further explained that successful beneficiaries would receive SMS notifications through one of the authorised digital financial service providers.

The ministry also cautioned Nigerians against fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the programme, advising beneficiaries not to disclose their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to anyone.

For enquiries, complaints and further clarification, the ministry directed members of the public to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.

It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the intervention is implemented with transparency, accountability and respect for beneficiaries, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.