Digital financial services provider OPay has explained how customers can check their eligibility for the Federal Government’s N50,000 monthly cash support programme for vulnerable Nigerians.
The fintech company said qualified customers would receive a pop-up notification on the homepage of their OPay mobile application, which they must click to access the next steps for the intervention.
In a post on its official X handle on Tuesday, OPay clarified that the cash support was exclusively available to eligible beneficiaries, adding that customers who could not see the notification on their applications did not qualify for the programme.
The company also stressed that it had no role in determining beneficiaries’ eligibility.
OPay stated, “The ₦50,000 monthly Federal Government cash support is available only to eligible citizens. Eligible customers will see a pop-up notification on their OPay app homepage. Kindly click on the pop-up to proceed with the next steps.
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“Kindly note that customers who are unable to see the feature on the app are not eligible for it. Please note that we do not determine your eligibility. Kindly contact NERSI at 07000222222 for assistance.”
The fintech company also warned customers against fraudulent activities, cautioning them not to disclose their personal identification numbers (PINs) or one-time passwords (OTPs) to individuals claiming to facilitate the payment.
“OPay will never ask for your PIN or OTP to process a NERSI relief payment. Do not pay any agent or click unverified links,” the company warned.
It advised customers to use only its official mobile application or the USSD code 955*20# to check their eligibility for the intervention.
OPay’s clarification followed increased public interest in the Federal Government’s cash relief programme after an X user shared information about the intervention and listed USSD codes through which customers of participating financial service providers could check their eligibility.
The Federal Government recently announced the commencement of disbursements under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), a presidential initiative designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable households.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of the programme in a statement issued on October 30, explaining that qualified beneficiaries would receive N50,000 monthly to support essential household needs and cushion the impact of rising living costs.
According to the minister, the programme would be reviewed regularly to ensure that assistance reaches eligible Nigerians.
Doro disclosed that the ministry was partnering with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure secure, transparent and efficient disbursement of the funds.
He explained that beneficiaries would receive an SMS requesting their consent before payments were made directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.
The approved financial service providers and their respective USSD codes include:
OPay: 955*20#
ALAT by Wema: 945*23#
MoMo PSB: 671*0#
NairaGram: 726*00#
Moniepoint: 557*327#
The minister emphasised that beneficiaries were not required to submit applications, pay registration fees or register through agents to access the intervention.
He also warned Nigerians against fraudsters seeking to exploit the programme, urging citizens not to disclose sensitive banking information, including their PINs and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs).
Doro advised anyone uncertain about messages or notifications concerning the intervention to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222 for assistance.
