The Federal Government has explained the process for selecting beneficiaries of its N50,000 cash relief programme, clarifying that eligibility is determined through verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
The clarification comes amid growing interest among Nigerians seeking to understand how recipients are identified and whether they can personally apply for the financial assistance.
According to information published on the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) website under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, beneficiaries are drawn from verified National Identification Number (NIN) records and the National Social Register before undergoing screening to identify poor and vulnerable households.
The National Identification Number, issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is used to verify beneficiaries’ identities and is linked to the mobile wallets through which the funds are disbursed.
The National Social Register, coordinated by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), contains information on poor and vulnerable households across the country.
NASSCO says the database holds records of more than 70 million individuals.
The registration process begins with states identifying their poorest local government areas and communities. Trained registration teams then work with residents and community leaders to identify vulnerable households, which are digitally registered and assessed using established poverty indicators.
Households ranked within the bottom six deciles may qualify for inclusion in the National Beneficiary Register, which supports government intervention programmes, including cash transfers.
According to NERSI, enrolment with both NIMC and the National Social Register is a prerequisite for consideration under the N50,000 relief initiative.
However, the agency clarified that Nigerians cannot independently apply or pay to secure a place on the beneficiary list.
“You cannot apply or pay to be added,” the website states, adding that not everyone will be included in the first batch of beneficiaries.
The initiative, described as the Federal Government’s shock-responsive cash transfer programme, is designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households through mobile wallets.
Under the scheme, selected beneficiaries receive a non-repayable grant of N50,000, with distribution taking place in phases across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The government says selection is based on vulnerability and need, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, had announced the commencement of disbursement in a statement on October 30.
Meanwhile, Nigerians can check whether they have been selected through the approved financial service providers by dialling the following USSD codes:
– ALAT by Wema: *945*23#
– MoMo PSB: *671*0#
– NairaGram: *726*00#
– OPay: *955*20#
– Moniepoint: *5573*27#
The government has urged Nigerians to rely on approved channels for information about the programme and avoid individuals or platforms demanding payment in exchange for inclusion in the beneficiary list.
Suggested alternative headline: N50,000 Relief: FG Reveals Eligibility Criteria, How Nigerians Can Check Beneficiary Status
