FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Explains How Customers Can Check Eligibility, Warns Against Scams

According to a report by Punch on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, OPay has explained how Nigerians can determine whether they qualify for the Federal Government’s N50,000 cash relief programme, warning customers against fraudsters attempting to exploit the intervention.

The digital financial services company said the financial assistance, introduced under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is reserved for Nigerians who meet the government’s eligibility requirements.

In a statement shared on its official X account on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, OPay disclosed that eligible customers would receive a pop-up notification directly on the homepage of their mobile application.

According to the company, customers who receive the notification should click on it and follow the instructions to complete the necessary steps for accessing the relief payment.

OPay, however, clarified that customers who cannot see the notification on their application are not currently eligible for the intervention.

The company also stressed that it does not determine who qualifies for the Federal Government’s financial assistance, directing customers seeking further clarification to contact the NERSI helpline.

OPay stated, “The ₦50,000 monthly Federal Government cash support is available only to eligible citizens. Eligible customers will see a pop-up notification on their OPay app homepage. Kindly click on the pop-up to proceed with the next steps.

“Kindly note that customers who are unable to see the feature on the app are not eligible for it. Please note that we do not determine your eligibility. Kindly contact NERSI at 07000222222 for assistance.”

The fintech company also issued a warning about fraudulent activities, advising customers to protect their financial information while checking their eligibility.

It emphasised that neither OPay nor its representatives would request customers’ Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to process payments under the government intervention.

“OPay will never ask for your PIN or OTP to process a NERSI relief payment. Do not pay any agent or click unverified links,” the company warned.

Customers were advised to use only the official OPay mobile application or dial 95520# to check their eligibility.

The Federal Government recently announced the commencement of payments under NERSI, a presidential intervention designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of the programme in a statement released on October 30, 2026.

According to the minister, the initiative is intended to provide immediate financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians, particularly households affected by increasing food prices and the high cost of essential goods.

The government announced that eligible beneficiaries would receive N50,000 in financial support, with the programme subject to periodic reviews to reflect changes in the cost of living.

Doro explained that the ministry was partnering with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure that payments reached beneficiaries securely and transparently.

He added that selected beneficiaries would receive SMS notifications from approved financial service providers requesting their consent before the money was transferred directly into their accounts or mobile wallets.

The government has identified several participating platforms and released USSD codes through which beneficiaries can check their eligibility.

The official NERSI website also explains that beneficiaries are selected using verified national identity records and the National Social Register. This means Nigerians cannot independently register or pay to have their names included in the beneficiary list.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians against individuals and organisations attempting to defraud citizens through fake registration exercises, payment links and requests for processing fees.

Doro stressed that beneficiaries are not required to submit fresh applications, pay registration charges or engage agents to access the financial assistance.

He urged Nigerians to avoid sharing their PINs, Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), OTPs and other sensitive financial information with unauthorised individuals.

The government also advised citizens to verify suspicious messages before responding, particularly as fraudsters may create fake notifications claiming to offer access to the N50,000 support.

According to the official NERSI portal, genuine programme notifications come through approved financial service providers and do not require beneficiaries to click external links or disclose confidential banking information.

For enquiries and assistance, Nigerians can contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.

The government has also explained that payments are being processed in phases, meaning not every eligible beneficiary will necessarily receive a notification at the same time.

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