How OPay users can access FG’s N50,000 grant
OPay users hoping to benefit from the Federal Government’s N50,000 relief grant have been searching for ways to confirm their eligibility, particularly those who have not received any notification.
But what happens if OPay does not display the grant offer? Can an account holder still receive the money later, and is there another payment platform through which the support can be accessed?
The questions follow the introduction of the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), announced on October 30, 2026, by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.
The programme is intended to provide N50,000 monthly assistance to selected vulnerable Nigerians, subject to government review.
OPay is one of five financial institutions approved to distribute the payment.
However, the company has clarified that it does not determine who qualifies for the grant.
How to check FG’s N50,000 grant on OPay
OPay customers can confirm their selection status using either the official mobile application or the company’s designated USSD code.
Through the OPay application:
1. Open the official OPay application.
2. Log in to your account.
3. Check the homepage for a NERSI relief notification or pop-up.
4. If the notification appears, follow the instructions to confirm your selection and proceed.
OPay says the feature is available to customers selected for the government intervention.
Through USSD:
Customers without smartphones can dial **\*955\*20#** from the phone number linked to their OPay account.
They should follow the on-screen instructions and select the option for checking their eligibility.
The service does not require an internet connection.
What if OPay has not selected you?
An OPay customer who does not receive the grant notification cannot assume that the payment is available for immediate collection.
However, the absence of a notification does not necessarily mean the person will never receive the support.
According to the Federal Government, beneficiaries are contacted in batches because NERSI payments are being processed in phases.
This means someone who is not selected in the current phase could be considered in a subsequent phase.
Selection in a future phase is not guaranteed.
Customers can check their status through the official USSD service and monitor subsequent government announcements.
Anyone who needs clarification about their status can contact the NERSI helpline on **0700-022-2222**.
Can you get the N50,000 through another payment platform?
OPay is not the only institution participating in the intervention.
The Federal Government has approved four other payment providers:
– ALAT by Wema Bank: \*945\*23#
– MoMo PSB: \*671\*0#
– NairaGram: \*726\*00#
– Moniepoint: \*5573\*27#
Beneficiaries may receive their grants through any of the approved providers designated to handle their payments.
However, opening accounts with several providers or trying their USSD codes does not automatically qualify someone for the grant.
The government determines eligibility before payment providers distribute the money.
Is there a way to increase your chances of being selected?
The Federal Government has explained that beneficiaries are selected using the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
Selection is based on poverty and vulnerability criteria, rather than the number of bank accounts or mobile wallets a person operates.
There is no officially approved application form, special code or payment that can guarantee selection.
The ministry has warned Nigerians against agents claiming they can add names to the beneficiary list or accelerate payments.
Similarly, maintaining an active phone number linked to verified identity records can help a selected beneficiary receive notifications, but it does not guarantee inclusion in the programme.
How to accept and withdraw the N50,000
Customers selected for the grant must accept the offer before receiving payment.
According to the official NERSI guidelines, successful beneficiaries will receive an SMS from their designated financial service provider.
The message will contain instructions for giving consent, which may involve replying YES or using the provider’s approved USSD service.
Once consent is completed, the N50,000 will be credited to the beneficiary’s mobile wallet.
The money can then be:
– Transferred to a bank account.
– Withdrawn through a POS agent.
– Spent directly from the mobile wallet.
The government does not charge beneficiaries for receiving the grant, although normal POS withdrawal fees may apply.
Those who mistakenly reject an official payment offer can dial their designated provider’s USSD code again and select YES.
How to avoid fake N50,000 grant messages
OPay has warned customers against fraudsters circulating messages promising guaranteed access to the relief payment.
The company says it will never request customers’ PINs or one-time passwords to process NERSI payments.
The Federal Government has also cautioned Nigerians against clicking links sent by unknown individuals claiming to facilitate grant registration.
Beneficiaries should not disclose their BVNs, passwords or other sensitive information to anyone offering assistance.
Anyone uncertain about a notification should verify it through the official OPay application, approved USSD service or the NERSI helpline.
The government has maintained that the N50,000 support is a grant, not a loan, and beneficiaries will not be required to repay it.
For Nigerians who have not yet been selected, the government’s phased payment arrangement means they can continue checking their status, but no legitimate process currently guarantees them a place on the beneficiary list.