Nigerians selected for the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 relief programme have been advised to protect their personal and banking information as payments continue through authorised digital financial service providers.
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) uses information from the National Social Register and verified national identity records to identify vulnerable beneficiaries.
However, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction says beneficiaries should never disclose their Bank Verification Number (BVN), banking PIN or One-Time Password (OTP) to anyone claiming to facilitate payment.
The clarification comes amid concerns about fraudulent messages and individuals attempting to exploit public interest in the relief programme.
Why does NERSI use national identity records?
According to the official NERSI website, beneficiaries are selected from verified national identity records and the National Social Register.
The government says these records help identify poor and vulnerable households eligible for assistance.
National identity information also supports the verification of beneficiaries before payments are made.
However, possessing a National Identification Number does not automatically qualify someone for the grant.
The ministry says eligibility depends on additional poverty and vulnerability criteria.
How does the government obtain beneficiaries’ phone numbers?
The official FAQ explains that selected beneficiaries’ telephone numbers are obtained from the records used during the selection process.
The numbers are then used to contact beneficiaries through their designated payment providers.
According to the ministry, beneficiaries receive an SMS informing them of their selection and explaining how to accept the support.
The government says the information is shared with the relevant payment provider for the purpose of delivering the grant.
Is the mobile wallet linked to the NIN?
The ministry says the NERSI wallet is linked to the beneficiary’s telephone number and national identity information.
This arrangement is intended to ensure that the payment reaches the selected individual.
However, the public FAQ does not provide a complete technical explanation of the identity-matching process.
Beneficiaries should therefore follow their designated provider’s official instructions rather than submit personal documents to unknown individuals.
Why does the government warn against sharing BVN?
The Bank Verification Number is a sensitive identifier used within Nigeria’s banking system.
The ministry explicitly warns beneficiaries against disclosing their BVN to individuals claiming to represent NERSI.
It also says no programme official or authorised payment provider will ask beneficiaries to reveal their PIN or OTP to release the grant.
This warning is important because fraudsters may impersonate payment agents or government representatives.
They may claim that a beneficiary’s account requires urgent verification before the ₦50,000 can be paid.
However, such claims should be checked through official channels.
Does the government require beneficiaries to submit their BVN through a link?
No.
The ministry says NERSI does not require beneficiaries to click registration links to receive payment.
It also states that no public application process exists.
Genuine notifications are sent through authorised payment providers and contain instructions for consent.
Beneficiaries should therefore avoid websites or messages requesting sensitive financial information in exchange for the grant.
What does the ministry say about data protection?
The NERSI FAQ states that beneficiaries’ personal information is protected under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
The ministry says the data is used for the programme and shared with the relevant payment provider for payment purposes.
However, these assurances do not eliminate the need for independent oversight.
In a November 8 report by Premium Times, SERAP called for greater transparency about how beneficiary information is processed and protected.
The organisation also requested details of the arrangements between the ministry and participating payment providers.
What should beneficiaries do if someone requests their BVN?
They should not disclose the information.
The same precaution applies to banking passwords, PINs and OTPs.
Anyone receiving a suspicious call or message should contact the payment provider through its official customer service channel.
The ministry also provides a dedicated NERSI helpline: 0700-022-2222.
Beneficiaries should avoid relying on telephone numbers supplied by suspicious callers.
Can someone help a beneficiary access the money?
The government says a trusted family member may assist a beneficiary in navigating the USSD process.
However, the beneficiary should personally enter their PIN and retain control of their phone.
No third party should be given unrestricted access to the wallet.
For Nigerians receiving the ₦50,000 support, the key distinction is that identity records are used for selection and verification, but sensitive banking credentials should remain private.