Nigerians selected to receive the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 relief through ALAT by Wema Bank have been informed that they can access their money through several channels, including Wema Bank branches.
The clarification comes as beneficiaries seek alternatives to Point of Sale (POS) agents and mobile banking transactions under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
According to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, beneficiaries assigned to ALAT can transfer their grants through the bank’s designated USSD service or visit a Wema Bank branch.
However, the branch withdrawal option specifically applies to ALAT beneficiaries and should not be assumed to cover recipients assigned to other payment providers.
The government has approved five institutions to distribute the grant, with each offering different methods of accessing funds.
Can NERSI beneficiaries withdraw ₦50,000 at Wema Bank?
Yes. The ministry’s detailed NERSI FAQ identifies Wema Bank branches as an available option for beneficiaries whose payments are handled through ALAT.
ALAT is the digital banking platform of Wema Bank, one of the authorised financial institutions participating in the intervention.
According to the ministry, selected beneficiaries receive SMS notifications from their assigned providers.
They must follow the acceptance instructions before their wallets are credited.
For ALAT recipients, the government says funds can be accessed through the designated USSD service or by visiting a Wema Bank branch.
However, beneficiaries should confirm any branch-specific identity verification requirements with the bank before travelling.
The FAQ does not provide a detailed list of documents required for every branch transaction.
How to transfer NERSI money through ALAT USSD
The ministry lists *945*23# as the ALAT NERSI service code.
For beneficiaries who want to transfer money to a bank account, the detailed FAQ provides the following format:
*945*23*AccountNumber*Amount#
The transaction should be initiated from the beneficiary’s registered telephone number.
Recipients should confirm the destination account details and amount before authorising any transfer.
The ministry says beneficiaries can transfer funds to their own bank accounts or to POS agents for cash withdrawal.
However, the availability of the service may depend on the beneficiary’s wallet status and the bank’s operational requirements.
Those experiencing difficulties should contact ALAT through its official customer service channels.
Can you collect NERSI cash from a POS agent instead?
Yes. The government says beneficiaries can use POS agents to access their funds.
Under this arrangement, the recipient transfers money from the mobile wallet to the agent’s account.
The agent then provides the equivalent amount in cash, subject to any applicable withdrawal charge.
The ministry explains that receiving the ₦50,000 grant is free, but POS agents may charge their normal withdrawal fees.
Beneficiaries should ask about the fee before completing a transaction.
They should also confirm the agent’s account details and avoid sending money to unfamiliar individuals who promise to arrange cash collection remotely.
Can you withdraw only part of the ₦50,000?
Yes.
The ministry says beneficiaries can withdraw the full amount or only a portion of the grant.
Any remaining balance stays in the mobile wallet.
For example, a recipient may decide to withdraw ₦20,000 for immediate household expenses while retaining the remaining ₦30,000.
This is an illustration of how partial withdrawals work, not a government recommendation on how the money should be spent.
The ministry also says beneficiaries can transfer funds to bank accounts.
However, recipients should check any applicable transaction charges before transferring or withdrawing money.
The government’s assurance that the grant is credited without deductions does not mean that every subsequent financial transaction is necessarily free.
Can OPay and Moniepoint beneficiaries visit Wema Bank?
The ministry does not identify Wema Bank branches as a universal withdrawal point for every NERSI payment provider.
Recipients assigned to OPay, Moniepoint, MoMo PSB or NairaGram should follow the withdrawal instructions issued by their own institutions.
For example, the government lists USSD and application-based transfer options for OPay and Moniepoint.
MoMo PSB beneficiaries can also use authorised agents and supported transfer channels.
Although recipients may be able to transfer money to accounts held at other banks, this is different from presenting themselves at a Wema Bank branch for an ALAT wallet withdrawal.
Beneficiaries should therefore verify the available options before making unnecessary journeys.
What to do if Wema Bank cannot process your NERSI withdrawal
An unsuccessful withdrawal attempt does not necessarily mean the beneficiary has lost the grant.
The problem may relate to wallet activation, identity verification, service availability or another account-specific issue.
Recipients should contact ALAT for clarification rather than repeatedly attempting unfamiliar transactions.
The ministry lists 0803 900 3700 as ALAT by Wema Bank’s customer support number for NERSI-related wallet enquiries.
For general questions about the programme, beneficiaries can contact the NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222.
The government also warns that no agent or official should demand payment to release the grant.
Further details are available through the official NERSI portal.
For ALAT beneficiaries, the important point is that Wema Bank branches are among the government’s listed options for accessing the ₦50,000 grant, alongside USSD transfers and POS withdrawals.