FG moves N50,000 NERSI cash assistance to five digital finance providers

The federal government has moved the October 2026 disbursement of N50,000 emergency cash assistance to five licensed digital financial service providers. Beneficiaries will receive the full amount directly into digital wallets linked to their phone numbers and National Identification Numbers, with no deductions.

Digital Distribution Model

The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) will be channelled exclusively through ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo Payment Service Bank, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. These platforms cover commercial banking, micro‑finance banking, payment service banking and mobile wallets, allowing the government to use existing infrastructure rather than building a new network. Selected households are identified through the National Social Register and verified identity records, then notified by SMS from one of the approved providers.

Beneficiaries must confirm consent before their wallets are activated or credited. Once the N50,000 is in the wallet, they can withdraw cash at point‑of‑sale agents, transfer funds, or spend directly from the wallet. The government states the process is free and warns against fraudsters demanding fees or sending false links. A helpline (0700‑022‑2222) is available for verification and assistance.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Bernard Doro announced the programme on October 30, describing it as a shock‑responsive cash transfer aimed at households facing rising living costs. The shift to digital channels is intended to reduce payment leakages, eliminate intermediaries and improve the delivery of social protection funds. The intervention will be reviewed periodically, with adjustments communicated to affected households.