Nigerians selected for the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 relief grant do not need to visit a commercial bank to open a conventional bank account before accepting their support.
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) uses a digital payment arrangement that allows selected beneficiaries to receive money through mobile wallets.
According to the official NERSI programme website, the wallet is linked to the beneficiary’s registered phone number and National Identification Number.
The system is designed to make payments accessible to vulnerable households, including people who may not regularly use conventional banking services.
However, beneficiaries must still complete the required consent process before the money can be released.
How does NERSI pay beneficiaries?
The government selects beneficiaries from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
Selected individuals receive notifications from one of five approved payment providers.
These are ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
The notification explains how the recipient can accept the grant.
After the beneficiary gives consent, the provider opens a mobile wallet associated with the person’s verified details.
The ₦50,000 support is then credited to the wallet.
This process means recipients do not have to complete a separate conventional bank-account-opening procedure before accepting the grant.
What is a mobile wallet?
A mobile wallet is a digital financial account that allows users to receive, hold and transfer money.
Depending on the provider, users may access the wallet through USSD or an approved mobile application.
For NERSI, the government says the wallet is linked to the beneficiary’s phone number and NIN.
This allows selected individuals to receive support through the approved payment system.
The wallet is not the same as a cash payment handed directly to someone by a government official.
It is an account-based payment channel operated by a designated financial service provider.
Do beneficiaries need to visit a bank?
The government’s published acceptance procedure does not require selected recipients to visit a bank branch before receiving the grant.
Beneficiaries can give consent through the designated USSD code.
Once payment is completed, they receive a confirmation message.
However, recipients who wish to withdraw cash may choose among the available cash-out channels.
For example, the government says ALAT beneficiaries can visit a Wema Bank branch.
Other recipients may use authorised agents or transfer funds to existing bank accounts.
Can beneficiaries receive the money without an existing bank account?
Yes, the programme is designed to credit a mobile wallet opened through the approved payment arrangement.
An existing conventional bank account is not presented as a universal prerequisite for receiving the initial grant.
However, beneficiaries who want to transfer the money to another account will need valid destination account details.
They can also use available wallet services without necessarily transferring the entire amount elsewhere.
How can beneficiaries withdraw their money?
The government identifies POS agents as one available withdrawal channel.
Beneficiaries may transfer money from their wallets to an agent’s account and receive cash in return.
They can also use the transfer or withdrawal options supported by their payment providers.
The official FAQ states that beneficiaries may withdraw all or part of the grant.
Any remaining balance stays in the wallet.
This means a recipient is not required to withdraw the full ₦50,000 at once.
Does opening the wallet cost money?
No.
NERSI states that accepting the support and receiving the payment are free.
The full ₦50,000 grant is credited without programme deductions.
However, ordinary transaction charges may apply when beneficiaries use certain withdrawal services.
For example, a POS agent may charge the usual cash-withdrawal fee.
This should not be confused with a registration or processing fee for the grant.
What if someone asks beneficiaries to open an account through a link?
The government warns that genuine NERSI notifications do not require recipients to click registration links.
Beneficiaries should not disclose PINs, OTPs or passwords to anyone claiming to open a wallet on their behalf.
They should use only the designated provider’s official channel.
Anyone demanding money to create an account or release the grant should be treated with suspicion.
For assistance, the official NERSI helpline is 0700-022-2222.
The central point is that the government’s payment system creates a mobile wallet for selected, consenting beneficiaries, removing the need to open a separate conventional bank account before receiving the grant.