FACT-CHECK: Viral WhatsApp Message Falsely Claims Nigerians Will Receive ₦185,000 Family Support Allowance

BY: Hawal Momolosho 

Claim:

A viral social media claims that the Nigerian government is giving every citizen ₦185,000 under a National Family Support Allowance scheme.

Verdict:

False. There is no verified evidence that the Nigerian government has introduced a National Family Support Allowance scheme offering ₦185,000 to every Nigerian. The purported registration process also raises concerns about possible phishing.

Full Text:

A viral post circulating on social media claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is offering Nigerians ₦185,000 under a purported National Family Support Allowance scheme.

The post directs users to a website where they are supposedly required to register to receive the money.

According to the circulating post, applicants must provide personal information and bank account details. They are also reportedly required to share the registration link with five WhatsApp groups or 15 friends before proceeding to the next stage.

The post appears designed to attract Nigerians seeking financial assistance. However, questions have been raised about the authenticity of the purported scheme and the collection of applicants’ personal information.

Factcheck Africa examined the claim to determine whether the purported allowance is an official government initiative.

Verification:

FactCheckAfrica reviewed available sources into the circulating claim and found no verified evidence establishing that the Nigerian government is offering every citizen ₦185,000 under a National Family Support Allowance scheme.

An investigation by Africa Check found no evidence that the purported allowance was an official government programme. Halt Fake also investigated the claim and identified the registration process as a phishing scam.

Further verification should establish whether the purported scheme appears in official announcements from the relevant government agencies and whether the registration website is authorised by the government.

The reported registration requirements also raise concerns.

First, the website reportedly requests applicants’ personal information and bank account details. Providing sensitive information through an unverified website could expose users to identity theft or financial fraud.

Second, the requirement to share the link with multiple WhatsApp groups or contacts encourages the message to spread rapidly. Such sharing requirements are common in fraudulent online offers designed to attract more users to suspicious websites.

Third, the use of President Tinubu’s photograph, an application form, a progress bar or a list of supposed successful applicants does not establish that the programme is genuine. These elements can be reproduced to make fraudulent websites appear legitimate.

The authenticity of a government grant should be established through official announcements and recognised government communication channels, rather than through forwarded WhatsApp messages.

Although the government operates social intervention programmes, their existence does not confirm the authenticity of the purported National Family Support Allowance.

The findings cited in the investigations therefore provide grounds to reject the circulating claim and warn Nigerians against submitting sensitive information through the purported registration website.

Conclusion:

The claim that the Nigerian government is giving every citizen ₦185,000 under a National Family Support Allowance scheme is False.

Nigerians are advised not to provide personal or banking information through the purported registration website or forward the link to others.

Anyone who has already submitted banking information should contact their bank through its official channels for guidance on securing their account.