FG Clarifies Who Qualifies for N50,000 Relief Grant
Share This Post
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, had earlier announced the commencement of payment.
The ministry clarified that the N50,000 is a grant and not a loan, emphasising that beneficiaries are not required to repay it.
According to the ministry, beneficiaries are not chosen randomly but drawn from two major government databases.
The first is the National Identification Number, NIN.
"You must have a valid NIN issued by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC. The NIN is used to confirm your identity and link you to the mobile wallet where the money will be paid," He said.
The second is the National Social Register, NSR.
"You must be captured in the National Social Register. The register contains details of poor and vulnerable households across the country. It is coordinated by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office and contains information on more than 70 million Nigerians," He added.
The ministry explained that the process begins with states identifying their poorest communities. Trained enumerators then work with community leaders and residents to identify vulnerable households.
It stated that the households are registered digitally and assessed using poverty indicators. Those ranked within the bottom six deciles may qualify for the National Beneficiary Register, which is used for cash transfer programmes.
The ministry added that being on the register does not automatically guarantee payment, noting that beneficiaries must still undergo further screening to confirm that they meet the poverty and vulnerability criteria.
The government said payments are being made in phases across the six geopolitical zones, without discrimination.
"Not everyone will be in the first batch. If you are not selected now, it does not mean you have been permanently excluded," He said.
The government also cautioned Nigerians to beware of scammers, stressing that the programme is completely free and that no official or agent is authorised to collect money to add anyone's name to the beneficiary list.
