The Federal Government has explained how it selects beneficiaries for its ₦50,000 cash relief programme under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
The clarification comes as payments continue, with many Nigerians seeking information about how recipients are identified and what makes them eligible for the support.
According to information published on the NERSI website of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, beneficiaries are selected using verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
The website states that the records are screened to identify poor and vulnerable households that qualify for the intervention.
The National Identification Number (NIN), issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is used to verify individuals’ identities. It is also linked to the mobile wallets through which selected beneficiaries receive their payments.
The National Social Register, on the other hand, contains information about poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria. It is coordinated by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO).
According to NASSCO, the register contains data on more than 70 million people.
The registration process begins with state authorities identifying their poorest local government areas and communities. Trained teams then work with residents and community leaders to identify vulnerable households.
The identified households are registered digitally and assessed using different poverty indicators. Those ranked within the bottom six deciles may qualify for inclusion in the National Beneficiary Register, which supports programmes such as government cash transfers.
NERSI states that registration with both NIMC and the National Social Register is required for consideration under the ₦50,000 relief programme.
However, the office has not provided further details about the specific screening criteria used to determine the final beneficiaries.
It also warned Nigerians that they cannot apply or pay anyone to secure a place on the beneficiary list, stressing that selection is based on existing records.
The Humanitarian Assistance Programme is described as the Federal Government’s emergency cash support initiative for poor and vulnerable households. Selected beneficiaries receive ₦50,000 through mobile wallets, and the money does not have to be repaid.
According to the programme, selection is based on need and covers all six geopolitical zones, regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
Payments are also being made in phases, meaning beneficiaries will not all receive notifications or payments at the same time.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of the disbursement in a statement on October 30.
Nigerians can check whether they have been selected through the approved payment providers by dialling the following USSD codes:
– ALAT by Wema: 94523#
– MoMo PSB: *6710#
– NairaGram: *72600#
– OPay: 95520#
– Moniepoint: 557327#
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