Last updated: November 2026 · Reading time: about 8 minutes
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| The status check comes first. Consent comes second, and no money moves without it. |
What this guide covers
The MoMo PSB USSD code
The code is *671*0# . It works on any MTN line, including a basic phone with no internet connection . That matters, because the programme is explicitly designed so that a smartphone and data are not prerequisites for receiving the money .
There are two related codes, and they do different things:
| Code | What it does |
|---|---|
| *671*0# | Check your eligibility or status. This is the code you dial to find out whether you are in the current batch . |
| 6710# | Provide consent after you have received an official confirmation SMS. This is the acceptance step . |
| *671# | Open a MoMo account if you do not already have one . |
The distinction between the first two is the one most people get wrong. *671*0# is the status check. 6710# is the consent step. If you dial the consent code before you have been selected, nothing happens — because there is no offer to accept yet.
How to check eligibility and accept the grant
The sequence is straightforward, but two steps are easy to miss.
- Dial *671*0# from the registered MTN line and select the eligibility-check option .
- Read the response carefully. If it says you are selected, proceed. If it says “NOT SELECTED,” read the next section before assuming the worst .
- Accept the offer. If you received an official SMS, reply YES or dial 6710# to give consent . If the USSD menu offers an acceptance prompt, follow it .
- Wait for the credit. The money is paid into the MoMo wallet only after consent, and you will receive an SMS confirming the payment .
If you do not have a MoMo account
Selection does not depend on having a MoMo account in advance. If you are selected and do not have one, you open it as part of the process.
Dial *671# or download the official MoMo PSB NG app and follow the registration instructions . The wallet is linked to your phone number and your National Identification Number, so the details you use must match your NIN record .
Once the wallet is open, return to the consent step. The money cannot be credited until the wallet exists and consent has been given.
What “NOT SELECTED” means for MTN users
If the USSD response says “You are currently not selected to receive this relief support” or similar wording, the correct reading is that you are not in the current batch .
Payments are made in phases, and providers contact beneficiaries in batches . The government has said that not receiving a notification in the first few days does not necessarily mean exclusion . But it has also said that not everyone will be selected in the current phase, because the programme is designed to support a limited number of households at a time .
So the accurate position is: not a rejection, not a promise. You may be in a later batch. The government has not guaranteed that everyone currently marked “NOT SELECTED” will eventually be paid.
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| An official SMS from MoMo PSB | You are selected for this batch. Consent is required before payment . | Reply YES or dial 6710# . |
| A USSD response saying you are selected | You are in the current batch. | Follow the prompt to accept. |
| “NOT SELECTED” | Not in this batch. Later batches may include you . | Wait. Do not pay anyone. |
| No SMS and no USSD response | Your batch has not been released, or the SMS is unread . | Check the registered number and search your messages. |
The fake code and the fake websites
Two specific scams have emerged around the MTN channel, and both are worth knowing before you dial anything.
1. The “send YES to this code” message
A social media message has been circulating advising MTN subscribers whose status shows “NOT ELIGIBLE” to send YES to a code, promising the money within 24 hours. MTN Nigeria Support has confirmed that the instruction is not from MTN and advised subscribers to disregard it .
The genuine consent step is 6710# or a reply of YES to an official SMS from MoMo PSB — not to a code circulated on social media .
2. Fake registration websites
Fraudulent websites have appeared claiming to register Nigerians for the N50,000 relief. Some adopt government-style branding, promise instant payment, and ask visitors to share a link with five WhatsApp groups before proceeding . The government has confirmed that there is no online registration and no application process .
How to access the money once it is credited
Once the N50,000 is in the MoMo wallet, there are four ways to use it:
- USSD — transfer or check the balance using the MoMo USSD menu .
- The MoMo app — the full wallet interface .
- A MoMo agent — cash out at an agent location .
- A transfer to a bank account — move the funds to a conventional bank account if you prefer .
The government has confirmed that the N50,000 is a grant, not a loan, and does not need to be repaid .
Frequently asked questions
What is the USSD code for MTN users to check the N50,000 grant?
*671*0#. Dial it from the MTN line registered for the programme, and select the option to check your eligibility or status .
How do I accept the N50,000 if I am selected?
If you receive an official SMS from MoMo PSB, reply YES or dial 6710# to give consent . If the USSD menu offers an acceptance prompt after you check your status, follow it . No payment is made without consent.
Do I need a MoMo account before checking?
No. You can check your status with *671*0# first. If you are selected and do not have a wallet, dial *671# or download the official MoMo PSB NG app to register . The money can only be credited once the wallet exists and consent has been given.
My status says “NOT SELECTED.” Does that mean I will never get it?
No. It means you are not in the current batch. Payments are made in phases, and later batches may include you . The government has not guaranteed eventual payment for everyone in that position, so it is not a rejection but it is also not a promise.
Is it true that sending YES to a certain code will release the money in 24 hours?
No. MTN Nigeria Support has confirmed that the circulating instruction is not from MTN and advised subscribers to disregard it . The genuine consent step is 6710# or a reply to an official SMS from MoMo PSB, not a code circulated on social media.
Will MoMo PSB ever ask for my PIN, OTP or BVN?
No. The government has warned beneficiaries not to share their PINs, OTPs or BVNs with anyone, including agents and officials . Genuine messages will never ask for these, and will never ask you to click a link .
What is the NERSI helpline?
0700-022-2222. It is quoted consistently by the ministry, by MoMo PSB, and in the programme’s fraud warnings .
Related reading on Dedon Tech: N50,000 NERSI relief: why your SMS is delayed and what NOT SELECTED really means · OPay NERSI ₦50,000 payment: how to check eligibility and avoid scams · wrong account transfer: the five-step recovery path · full site map
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