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Nigerians using basic mobile phones without internet connectivity can check their eligibility and claim the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 cash relief grant through OPay’s feature-phone USSD service.
The offline feature allows account holders to access the government intervention without downloading the OPay mobile application or consuming mobile data.
The initiative, operating under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), was established to cushion vulnerable households against severe inflationary pressures and high costs of living.
Launched on October 30, 2026, by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, the programme delivers direct financial assistance to pre-selected beneficiaries across the country.
To ensure secure and transparent disbursements, the ministry partnered with five licensed digital financial service providers, including OPay, Moniepoint, ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, and NairaGram.
How OPay Users Without Smartphones Can Check Eligibility
OPay account holders using non-smartphones can check their selection status and process payouts by dialing the official shortcode *955*20#.
1. Access Phone Dialer: Open the phone dialer on the basic mobile device linked to your registered OPay account.
2. Dial USSD Code: Dial *955*20# using the registered phone line.
3. Navigate Prompts: Follow the interactive on-screen instructions displayed on your phone display.
4. Select Verification Option: Choose the designated option to check your eligibility for the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 NERSI cash grant.
5. Authorize Payment: If shortlisted, follow the prompts to grant consent and accept the financial support.
6. Receive Fund Credit: Upon successfully completing verification, a confirmation SMS will be sent to your line, and the ₦50,000 grant will be credited to your mobile wallet.
Who Is Eligible For The ₦50,000 Grant?
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction reiterated that target beneficiaries are drawn exclusively from verified national identity records and the National Social Register, covering poor households across all six geopolitical zones.
Government authorities clarified that there is no public application portal, online form, or registration desk where citizens can independently register.
Furthermore, fund disbursements are executed in phased rollouts, meaning shortlisted citizens may receive SMS alerts or prompt availability at varying times during the scheme.
How To Receive The ₦50,000 After Selection
Once a selected candidate receives notification and completes the USSD authorization steps, a digital mobile wallet is automatically linked to their registered phone number and National Identification Number (NIN).
The ₦50,000 grant is deposited directly into the wallet, after which an alert confirms the credit.
Beneficiaries can cash out their funds at any local Point of Sale (POS) operator or transfer the balance to commercial bank accounts.
Is The Application Free?
The Federal Government emphasized that participating in the NERSI relief scheme, checking selection status, and receiving the ₦50,000 funds are completely free of charge.
OPay users are strongly warned against paying processing fees or administrative charges to agents or third parties claiming to guarantee selection.
Account holders must never disclose their secret wallet PINs, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), or banking credentials to anyone.
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