The Federal Government has announced a new monthly cash relief intervention that will provide ₦50,000 to eligible vulnerable Nigerian households to help cushion the effects of rising food prices and the increasing cost of living.
The intervention, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is described as a presidential initiative designed to provide direct financial assistance to millions of vulnerable Nigerians facing economic difficulties.
The announcement was contained in a statement reportedly issued in Abuja on Friday, October 30, 2026, by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.
According to the minister, the programme is intended to help eligible households meet essential needs, including food and other basic expenses, amid continuing pressure on household incomes.
FG Announces ₦50,000 Monthly Cash Relief for Vulnerable Households
Explaining the purpose of the intervention, the minister said the Federal Government introduced NERSI in response to global food inflation and the rising prices of essential goods, which have continued to affect the purchasing power of many Nigerian families.
Under the announced arrangement, eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive ₦50,000 every month as direct financial assistance.
The minister explained that the intervention would provide immediate support to vulnerable households while helping them manage the rising cost of living.
In his statement, Doro said:
“Under this intervention, eligible beneficiaries will receive N50,000 monthly, providing direct assistance to help meet essential needs and ease the burden of living costs.”
He added that the programme would be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in the cost of living. Beneficiaries would reportedly be notified directly before any adjustments were made to the intervention.
However, the announcement does not mean that every Nigerian household will automatically receive the payment. The support is intended for eligible vulnerable households under the programme’s beneficiary arrangements.
USSD Codes for the ₦50,000 Monthly Cash Relief
NERSI cash relief intervention beneficiaries are not required to apply, pay any fee, or register through agents or USSD to access the intervention. It’s an automatic selection, so please avoid dialing any USSD code and wait for official notification via SMS if you are qualified.
How the NERSI ₦50,000 Monthly Payments Will Work
According to the minister, the Federal Government is working with licensed digital financial service providers to facilitate secure, timely and transparent payments to eligible beneficiaries.
The proposed payment process will involve contacting beneficiaries through text messages. These messages will reportedly be sent by the participating service providers to obtain the beneficiaries’ consent before payments are processed.
Once the required consent and verification procedures have been completed, the funds are expected to be paid directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts or mobile wallets.
This digital payment arrangement is intended to reduce unnecessary delays, improve transparency and make it easier for eligible households to receive their financial assistance.
Will Nigerians Need to Apply for the ₦50,000 Cash Relief?
The minister stated that Nigerians would not need to submit fresh applications, pay registration fees or use agents to access the intervention.
According to the announcement, eligible beneficiaries will be contacted directly through the participating financial service providers.
This means Nigerians should be cautious of individuals or websites claiming to offer special registration links, application forms or guaranteed access to the ₦50,000 monthly payment in exchange for money.
FG Warns Nigerians Against Cash Relief Scams
The Federal Government has reportedly warned citizens to remain alert to fraudsters who may attempt to exploit public interest in the NERSI intervention.
The minister advised Nigerians not to disclose their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) or other sensitive banking information to strangers.
Beneficiaries should also avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing confidential financial information with people claiming to represent the programme.
According to the statement, Nigerians who are uncertain about a message or receive a request for money can contact the helpline provided in the announcement:
Reported NERSI Helpline: 0700-022-2222
Who Is Eligible for the ₦50,000 Monthly Cash Relief?
The intervention is intended to support vulnerable Nigerian households experiencing financial pressure due to rising food prices and the cost of essential goods.
However, the announcement does not provide a complete public breakdown of the eligibility criteria, beneficiary selection process or the specific categories of households that will qualify.
Therefore, Nigerians should not assume that everyone who is poor, unemployed or financially struggling will automatically be selected.
Prospective beneficiaries should wait for official information explaining the identification and verification process. Any message claiming that a person has been selected should be treated carefully until it can be confirmed through an authorised government or programme channel.
How to Apply for the NERSI ₦50,000 Monthly Cash Relief Programme
Beneficiaries selected for the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 monthly cash relief programme are expected to receive their payments through designated financial service providers and mobile wallets.
According to the payment instructions, once a beneficiaries wallet has been credited with the ₦50,000 financial assistance, the service provider will send an SMS containing instructions on how to access the money.
Here are the USSD codes reportedly associated with the NERSI intervention:
MomoPSB *671*0#
NairaGram *726*00#
Wema *945*23#
Opay *955*20#
Monipoint *5573*27#
How Long Will the NERSI Cash Relief Programme Last?
The minister said the intervention would be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in the cost of living.
Under the announced arrangement, eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive ₦50,000 monthly. However, the statement does not establish a definite end date or explain how long each household will remain on the beneficiary list.
The periodic review is intended to allow the programme to respond to changing economic conditions. Beneficiaries are reportedly expected to receive direct notification before any adjustments are made.
How NERSI Relates to Other Federal Government Social Protection Programmes
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention is described as complementary to existing Federal Government social protection and economic support programmes.
According to the minister, the initiative is designed to strengthen household resilience and promote economic stability by providing direct financial assistance to vulnerable families.
Doro also said the intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the programme with dignity, transparency and accountability.
World Bank Reports ₦658.9 Billion in Cash Transfers to 10.46 Million Households
In a related development, the World Bank reportedly disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦658.9 billion in direct cash transfers to 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households by September 2026.
The figures were contained in the institution’s Nigeria Development Update, which examined the country’s social protection efforts and the role of cash transfers in supporting households facing economic difficulties.
According to the report, the cash transfer programme uses biometric and digital verification systems to identify beneficiaries and facilitate payments.
The World Bank noted that although cash transfers can help households cope with economic pressures, the overall impact depends on several factors, including the number of people reached, the amount provided and the regularity of payments.
World Bank Calls for Stronger Social Protection Funding
The institution also recommended that Nigeria move beyond emergency assistance towards a more sustainable social protection system.
It emphasised the need for dedicated budget allocations at both federal and state levels, alongside gradually increased government funding for social protection programmes.
The World Bank further highlighted the importance of improving:
- Coverage: Expanding assistance to reach more poor and vulnerable households.
- Adequacy: Ensuring that financial support is sufficient to provide meaningful assistance.
- Consistency: Making payments more regular and predictable for beneficiaries.
- Accountability: Strengthening systems used to identify beneficiaries and deliver financial assistance.
These recommendations are intended to improve the effectiveness of cash transfer programmes and make social protection more sustainable over time.
What Nigerians Should Know About the ₦50,000 Monthly Cash Relief
- The reported intervention is called the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
- Eligible vulnerable households are expected to receive ₦50,000 monthly.
- The programme is intended to cushion the effects of rising food prices and living costs.
- Payments are expected to be made through bank accounts or mobile wallets.
- Participating financial service providers are expected to contact beneficiaries by text message to obtain consent.
- The minister stated that beneficiaries would not need to pay registration fees or use agents.
- USSD codes have been provided for ALAT by Wema, MOMO PSP and Nairagram, but their purpose should be confirmed through official channels before use.
- The programme will reportedly be reviewed periodically.
- The full beneficiary eligibility criteria and selection process have not been detailed in the announcement provided.
- Nigerians should protect their BVN, PIN, OTP and other confidential banking information.
Conclusion
The reported ₦50,000 monthly cash relief under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention represents a new Federal Government effort to provide direct financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerian households.
Eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive the support through bank accounts or mobile wallets after the required contact and consent procedures. Nigerians should avoid paying agents or submitting sensitive banking information through unofficial websites and messages.
For further details about beneficiary selection, payment commencement and the implementation of the intervention, citizens should rely on verified announcements from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and other authorised government channels.
Am interested
Good lock
This is a welcome development. I hope it will bring positive changes and create more opportunities for Nigerian students. Thank you for sharing this important information.
Please I need the money
Am interesting
How do we register
How can I register for it