By Zulaiha Danjuma
The Claim:
The FG is Distributing ₦50,000 Grants to Anyone Who Texts ‘YES’ to 2684?
A viral message circulating across social media platforms, particularly on WhatsApp, claims that the Federal Government of Nigeria is distributing a ₦50,000 cash grant. The message instructs citizens to text “YES” to the shortcode 2684 to receive the free grant.
The Verdict
FALSE. While the shortcode 2684 is an official government channel, the viral claim that anyone can text the code to automatically receive ₦50,000 is entirely false. The broadcast is a misleading viral trend that exposes users to financial phishing scams.
The Details and Findings:
1. The Origin of the Code:
The shortcode 2684 belongs to an official federal initiative, namely the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), managed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
2. How the Real Program Works:
According to official program guidelines and media reports including The Punch, the code is not an open application portal. The program works on a pre-selection method only, where the shortcode is used strictly to communicate with low-income households already captured in the National Social Register.
The code, instead of being an application method, is actually a consent tool. The government sends an SMS from 2684 to these pre-selected individuals. Replying “YES” simply grants the government consent to deposit the relief funds into their designated mobile wallets.
The process is not an open registration. Unsolicited messages sent to 2684 by unselected individuals will not make them eligible for the ₦50,000 payout.
However, there is an automated reply trick from telecommunications providers. When random users text “YES” to 2684, the gateway replies with instructions on how to open a mobile wallet (such as MTN MoMo, Wema ALAT, or OPay). Scammers and misinformed individuals take screenshots of this reply as “proof” that the trick works.
In reality, the system is only guiding the user to open a standard, empty mobile banking wallet. No government funds are attached to it.
3. The Cybersecurity Risk
Fintech companies (like OPay) and security analysts have issued warnings regarding this trend. Fraudsters are tracking the viral message to target applicants. Once a user texts the code or opens a wallet, scammers may call or message them pretending to be “government agents” to steal their BVN, NIN, or wallet PINs.
Conclusion
Do not text “YES” to 2684 unless you received a direct, official prompt from the government first, and this can only happen if your household has previously been captured in the National Social Register (NSR), managed by NASSCO.
The viral message is misinformation. The Federal Government does not disburse public funds through open text-message chains. For verification, contact the NERSI helpline: 0700-022-2222.