Tinubu’s ₦50,000: Why you haven’t received payment, what to do

Nigerians who are yet to receive the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 relief grant may still benefit from the intervention, as authorities have clarified that payments are ongoing and beneficiaries are being contacted in batches.

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction said the absence of a payment notification does not necessarily mean an individual has been excluded from the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).

However, the government explained that not everyone would be selected in the current phase, raising questions among Nigerians who have been waiting for payment since the programme commenced.

The intervention, launched on October 30, 2026, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to help vulnerable households cope with rising living costs.

Here is what Nigerians need to know about the payment process, eligibility requirements and how to check their status.

Why Haven’t I Received Tinubu’s ₦50,000 Grant?

The Federal Government has identified two possible reasons why some Nigerians have not received notifications for the relief payment.

First, payments are being processed in phases, with authorised financial service providers contacting selected beneficiaries in batches.

This means an individual may have been selected but has not yet received the SMS needed to accept the payment.

Second, not everyone has been selected in the current phase of the programme.

According to the ministry, the intervention supports a limited number of households at a time, meaning some Nigerians may not be included among the present beneficiaries.

The government stressed that the absence of an SMS does not automatically mean permanent exclusion from the programme.

 Can I Still Receive the ₦50,000 If I Haven’t Gotten an SMS?

Yes, it is possible, but receiving the payment is not guaranteed.

The ministry explained that beneficiaries are being contacted at different times, depending on the payment batches being processed.

Nigerians who have not received notifications may still be contacted if they are included in a subsequent batch.

However, those who are not selected cannot secure payment simply by submitting their details or contacting an agent.

The government said beneficiary selection is automated and based on established poverty and vulnerability criteria.

How Can I Check If I Have Been Selected for the ₦50,000?

The Federal Government has provided a way for Nigerians to check their eligibility through five authorised financial service providers.

The approved platforms and their USSD codes are:

– ALAT by Wema Bank: `*945*23#`
– MoMo PSB: `*671*0#`
– NairaGram: `*726*00#`
– OPay: `*955*20#`
– Moniepoint: `*5573*27#`

According to the ministry, beneficiaries can dial the relevant provider’s code and select the option to check eligibility.

Individuals who have been selected will receive instructions on how to accept the grant.

Those who are not included in the current payment batch will be informed that they have not been selected for the relief support.

The government noted that checking eligibility does not guarantee payment.

I Received an SMS but No ₦50,000 Alert. What Should I Do?

Nigerians who have received a selection SMS but have not been credited must confirm that they have completed the payment acceptance process.

The government explained that receiving a notification does not automatically trigger payment.

Selected beneficiaries are required to give their consent by following the instructions provided by their designated financial service provider.

Depending on the provider, this may involve replying YES to an official message or dialling the designated USSD code.

Once the acceptance process is completed, the ₦50,000 is credited to the beneficiary’s mobile wallet.

The ministry also clarified that individuals who mistakenly declined the payment can use their provider’s code to change their response.

Beneficiaries experiencing technical problems or delayed wallet credits should contact their payment provider for assistance.

Can I Still Apply or Register for Tinubu’s ₦50,000 Grant?

No. The Federal Government has made it clear that there is no public application or registration process for the NERSI relief programme.

Beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records, with priority given to poor and vulnerable households.

The ministry said no individual, government official or agent has the authority to add someone to the beneficiary list or accelerate their payment.

It warned Nigerians against websites and social media advertisements inviting people to register for the grant.

Anyone demanding a registration or processing fee in exchange for the ₦50,000 is attempting to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

Is Tinubu’s ₦50,000 Grant a Loan or Free Money?

The ₦50,000 is a Federal Government grant and does not require repayment.

According to the ministry, the full amount will be credited to selected beneficiaries without deductions.

Recipients can transfer the money to their bank accounts or withdraw it through approved channels.

However, the government noted that normal Point of Sale withdrawal charges may apply when beneficiaries collect cash through agents.

Will Beneficiaries Receive ₦50,000 Every Month?

The Federal Government described the intervention as a monthly financial support programme when it announced NERSI on October 30, 2026.

In the announcement, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, said eligible beneficiaries would receive ₦50,000 monthly to help them meet essential household needs.

However, the ministry’s subsequent public guidance does not specify how many months individual beneficiaries will receive payments.

The government said the intervention would be reviewed periodically in response to changes in living costs, with beneficiaries notified before any adjustment.

How Can I Report Problems With My ₦50,000 Payment?

The Federal Government has provided a dedicated helpline for enquiries and complaints relating to the relief programme.

Nigerians can contact the NERSI support centre on **0700-022-2222**.

Those experiencing difficulties with mobile wallets, transfers or withdrawals have also been advised to contact their designated payment providers directly.

The ministry warned beneficiaries never to disclose their Bank Verification Numbers, personal identification numbers, passwords or one-time passwords to anyone claiming to facilitate payment.

It added that genuine notifications would come only from ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint.

Official notifications do not require beneficiaries to click registration links or pay fees before accessing the grant.

For Nigerians still waiting, the ministry maintains that payments are being made in phases, while selection remains restricted to households identified through the government’s approved eligibility process.