FG’s ₦50,000 grant: How Nigerians without smartphones or internet can receive NERSI payment

Nigerians who do not own smartphones or have access to the internet can still receive the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 relief grant if they have been selected under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has confirmed that beneficiaries can access the support using basic mobile phones.

The clarification is significant for low-income households, particularly people who may not own internet-enabled devices or regularly use mobile banking applications.

According to the official NERSI FAQ, beneficiaries do not need smartphones or mobile data to accept the grant because the approved payment providers support USSD transactions.

NERSI uses a mobile-wallet payment system designed to deliver financial assistance directly to selected beneficiaries.

The process begins with an SMS from an approved payment provider.

Recipients then use their phones to give consent before the money is released.

The government explains that this process can be completed through USSD, which does not require an internet connection.

This means someone using a basic phone can respond to the notification without installing a banking application.

However, the phone must be able to receive messages and access the relevant mobile network service.

First, the beneficiary receives an SMS from an authorised payment provider confirming selection.

Second, the recipient checks the instructions and identifies the designated USSD code.

Third, the beneficiary dials the code from the appropriate phone number and follows the prompts to accept the grant.

After consent is recorded, the provider opens a mobile wallet linked to the beneficiary’s verified details.

The government says the ₦50,000 is then credited and a confirmation message is sent.

The recipient can subsequently use the provider’s available services to access the money.

The Federal Government lists five approved payment providers:

Beneficiaries should use the code associated with their designated provider.

They should not assume that dialling every code automatically qualifies them for payment.

Selection is determined through government records, not by the number of codes a person tries.

The government explicitly states that the USSD service works without internet access.

This means beneficiaries do not need to purchase data bundles to complete the consent process.

They also do not need to download an application simply to accept the grant.

The ministry says programme SMS responses and acceptance are free.

However, this does not mean every unrelated banking transaction is necessarily free.

The government says beneficiaries can use POS agents or other channels supported by their payment providers.

A recipient may transfer money from the wallet to an agent’s account and receive cash.

Some providers also offer access through their physical agent networks or bank branches.

For example, ALAT beneficiaries may visit a Wema Bank branch.

The government also allows beneficiaries to withdraw only part of their grant while leaving the remaining balance in the wallet.

The official FAQ advises beneficiaries to check their network signal and try again.

If the problem continues, they should contact the designated provider.

Technical failure does not necessarily mean the person has lost eligibility.

However, beneficiaries should not give their phones or security credentials to strangers who promise to resolve the problem.

The ministry warns that no official or agent should request a beneficiary’s PIN or OTP.

The government allows a trusted family member to assist with dialling the relevant code.

However, the beneficiary must retain control of the account and personally enter any security PIN.

Assistance should not involve handing over the phone or allowing another person to take control of the wallet.

For general enquiries, NERSI provides the helpline 0700-022-2222.

The key point is that a basic mobile phone is sufficient to receive the ₦50,000 grant, provided the individual has been selected and completes the required consent process.