SNOW TV NEWS DESK
OPay has clarified how customers can determine whether they qualify for the Federal Government’s proposed ₦50,000 monthly relief payment, warning Nigerians against falling victim to fraudsters exploiting the program.
The fintech company explained that eligibility is determined by the government, not OPay. According to the company, only customers selected as beneficiaries will receive a special notification through a pop-up message on their OPay mobile app homepage.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Tuesday, OPay advised customers to check their app for the notification, which will provide instructions on how to access the relief payment.
The company stressed that customers who cannot see the feature on their app should understand that they have not been selected for the program.
“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,” OPay stated.
The company also directed customers seeking further clarification to contact the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) helpline on 0700-022-2222.
Beyond explaining the eligibility process, OPay issued a warning about potential scams, urging Nigerians to remain cautious of individuals and fake websites claiming to facilitate access to the government’s financial assistance.
It emphasized that it would never request customers’ personal identification numbers (PINs) or one-time passwords (OTPs) to process relief payments.
Customers were also warned against paying agents, sharing sensitive banking information, or clicking on suspicious links. OPay advised beneficiaries to rely exclusively on its official mobile application and USSD channel when checking their status.
The clarification follows the Federal Government’s announcement of the National Emergency Relief and Stabilization Intervention on October 30.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr. Bernard Doro disclosed that the program would provide vulnerable Nigerians with ₦50,000 monthly to help cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The government has reportedly engaged licensed digital financial service providers to facilitate the disbursement. Participating platforms include OPay, Moniepoint, ALAT by Wema, MoMo, PSB, and NairaGram.
According to the minister, selected beneficiaries will receive a consent SMS before the money is transferred into their designated accounts or wallets.
Importantly, the government has clarified that Nigerians do not need to fill out applications, pay registration fees, or engage agents to benefit from the intervention.
Doro also warned citizens against disclosing their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), PINs, or other sensitive financial details to anyone claiming to represent the program.
With the relief initiative attracting considerable public interest, Nigerians are advised to verify all information through official channels rather than risk losing their money to scammers.
How to check if you qualify: Open your official OPay app and look for the NERSI notification on the homepage. If the notification is absent, OPay says you have not been selected.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
