OPay Clarifies Eligibility for Federal Government’s N50,000 Monthly Relief
OPay has issued guidance to its customers on how to confirm their eligibility for the Federal Government’s monthly N50,000 cash relief for vulnerable Nigerians, while cautioning that the payment is reserved strictly for qualified beneficiaries.
According to the digital financial services provider, eligible customers will receive a pop-up notification on the homepage of their OPay app, which they must click to proceed with the next steps of the process.
No Pop-Up Means No Eligibility
In a post shared on its X handle on Tuesday, the company explained that customers who do not see the notification on their apps are not eligible for the intervention. OPay also stressed that it does not determine beneficiaries’ eligibility for the programme.
“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,” the company stated.
“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.”
OPay Warns Customers Against Fraudsters
The fintech firm also issued a warning against fraudsters, emphasising that it will never request customers’ personal identification numbers or one-time passwords to process payments under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention.
“OPay will never ask for your PIN or OTP to process a NERSI relief payment. Do not pay any agent or click unverified links,” it cautioned.
The company advised customers to use only its official mobile application or the USSD code 95520# to check their eligibility.
What Prompted the Clarification
OPay’s clarification came after a post by an X user who shared information about the support and listed USSD codes through which customers of participating financial service providers could check their eligibility, as public interest in the scheme continues to grow.
Federal Government Launches NERSI Disbursement
The Federal Government had announced the commencement of disbursement under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, a presidential initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to vulnerable households.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, disclosed the commencement of the programme in a statement on October 30, saying eligible beneficiaries would receive N50,000 monthly to help meet essential needs and cushion the effects of rising living costs. The programme is expected to be reviewed regularly.
According to the minister, the ministry is partnering with licensed digital financial service providers to ensure secure and transparent disbursement. Beneficiaries receive an SMS seeking their consent before payment is made directly to their account or mobile wallet.
Approved Providers and USSD Codes
The approved providers and their USSD codes include ALAT by Wema (94523#), MoMo PSB (6710#), NairaGram (72600#), OPay (95520#) and Moniepoint (557327#).
Doro emphasised that no application, fee or registration through agents is required for the programme, and he warned Nigerians against fraudsters. He urged beneficiaries not to share their PINs or BVNs and to contact the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222 if they are unsure about any message.
Key Takeaways for Beneficiaries
For customers hoping to benefit from the scheme, the message from OPay is clear: eligibility is determined by the Federal Government and not by the financial service provider. Only those who see the pop-up notification on their OPay app homepage should proceed, and all eligible customers should complete their checks through the official app or the 95520# USSD code.
With fraudsters seeking to exploit public interest in the relief programme, beneficiaries are advised to remain vigilant, avoid paying any agent, refrain from clicking unverified links, and never disclose their PINs or OTPs to anyone. Anyone uncertain about a message or the status of their payment should reach out to the NERSI helpline for clarification.
