The Federal Government has introduced a ₦50,000 monthly financial relief programme under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), targeting vulnerable Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
As one of the five approved payment partners for the initiative, OPay is providing a digital payment channel through which selected beneficiaries can check their eligibility, accept the support and receive their payments.
Eligible Nigerians using OPay can access the programme through the OPay mobile application or by dialling *955*20# on their registered mobile phone.
The initiative, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is designed to provide direct financial assistance to households facing economic difficulties.
But who qualifies for the ₦50,000 NERSI relief fund? How can OPay customers check their eligibility? And what should beneficiaries know before accepting the payment?
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 NERSI Relief Fund?
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is a Federal Government programme established to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable Nigerian households affected by increasing living costs.
Under the initiative, selected beneficiaries will receive ₦50,000 monthly as a government grant to help them meet essential household expenses and manage financial pressures.
According to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the intervention is part of the government’s broader social protection efforts to provide immediate financial relief to vulnerable households.
The programme commenced in October 2026, with payments delivered directly to beneficiaries through approved digital financial service providers.
The ₦50,000 support is a grant, not a loan, meaning beneficiaries are not required to repay the money.
Why OPay Is Part of the NERSI Relief Programme
OPay is among five payment providers approved by the Federal Government to facilitate the distribution of NERSI payments.
The other approved providers are ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram and Moniepoint.
Through its digital financial services infrastructure, OPay provides beneficiaries with a convenient way to access their relief funds without necessarily visiting a physical government office.
OPay customers can use the company’s mobile application or its USSD service to check their eligibility and access payment-related services.
The partnership also highlights the role of regulated digital financial service providers in supporting financial inclusion and improving the delivery of government assistance across Nigeria.
Who Is Eligible for the ₦50,000 NERSI Relief Fund?
The Federal Government says beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
Selection is based on poverty and vulnerability criteria, with the programme covering all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
However, not every Nigerian will automatically qualify for the support.
According to the ministry’s official guidelines, beneficiaries are selected through existing government records rather than an open public registration exercise.
This means:
- Applicants must be among the households selected through the government’s beneficiary identification process.
- Selection is based on verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
- Beneficiaries are selected based on poverty and vulnerability criteria.
- Payments are distributed in phases, meaning some qualified beneficiaries may receive notifications later than others.
- No individual, agent or organisation can guarantee selection or add someone to the beneficiary list.
Importantly, Nigerians do not need to pay a registration fee or use an agent to qualify for the programme.
How OPay Customers Can Check Their NERSI ₦50,000 Eligibility
OPay customers can use the designated USSD code or the OPay mobile application to access NERSI-related services.
Method 1: Check Through OPay USSD
Customers can follow these steps:
- Open the phone dialler on the mobile number linked to their OPay account.
- Dial *955*20#.
- Follow the instructions displayed on the screen.
- Select the eligibility-check option where available.
- Follow the instructions to confirm your selection status.
Customers who have been selected should follow the instructions provided to accept the support.
Method 2: Check Through the OPay Mobile App
OPay customers can also use the official mobile application.
- Open the OPay application on your smartphone.
- Ensure you are using the official and updated application.
- Navigate to the NERSI or relief-support option where available.
- Follow the displayed instructions to check your eligibility.
- If selected, follow the official acceptance instructions.
Beneficiaries should rely on official OPay notifications and the Federal Ministry’s NERSI information portal for accurate updates.
How Will Selected OPay Customers Receive the ₦50,000 Payment?
According to the Federal Government’s programme guidelines, selected beneficiaries will receive an SMS from their approved payment provider informing them of their selection.
For OPay customers, the notification will come through the provider’s official communication channel.
Beneficiaries will be asked to give their consent before the payment is processed.
Once consent is provided, the beneficiary’s mobile wallet is activated or linked to the relevant details, and the ₦50,000 grant is credited.
An SMS notification will confirm the payment.
Beneficiaries can then use the funds for eligible transactions, transfer the money or withdraw it through available payment channels.
Important Things Nigerians Should Know Before Checking NERSI Eligibility
As interest in the ₦50,000 monthly relief programme grows, Nigerians should be careful about fraudulent messages, fake registration websites and individuals claiming they can secure government payments.
The Federal Government has emphasised that NERSI is free.
Here are important precautions:
- Do not pay anyone to register you for the programme.
- Do not share your OPay PIN, OTP or password with anyone.
- Do not provide sensitive banking information to unverified individuals.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links claiming to offer automatic NERSI approval.
- Do not believe anyone promising to add your name to the beneficiary list for a fee.
- Use only official payment-provider channels and government information platforms.
The ministry has also warned that no agent or individual can influence the selection process or guarantee payment.
For programme-related enquiries, beneficiaries can contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
What If You Are Not Selected for the NERSI Payment?
Not receiving an eligibility notification immediately does not necessarily mean you have been permanently excluded from the programme.
The Federal Government says payments are being distributed in phases, and beneficiaries are contacted in batches.
Additionally, the programme supports selected vulnerable households rather than every Nigerian.
Customers who are not selected should monitor official programme communications for further information.
There is no need to submit applications through unofficial websites or pay intermediaries to improve their chances of selection.
Final Thoughts
The Federal Government’s ₦50,000 monthly NERSI relief fund provides financial assistance to selected vulnerable Nigerian households facing rising living costs.
With OPay among the approved payment partners, eligible customers can access the programme through its mobile application or by dialling 95520#.
However, Nigerians should understand that using OPay does not automatically qualify them for the grant. Beneficiaries are selected through the government’s established identification process.
Anyone interested in the programme should use official channels to check their status, follow the required consent process and avoid individuals requesting money or sensitive banking information.
For verified updates, Nigerians can visit the official NERSI portal at https://fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/.