IN SHORT: Facebook posts circulating claim the Nigerian government is offering Nigerians a N100,000 Christmas cash grant. But that’s not the case.
According to some Facebook posts, the Nigerian government is offering N100,000 (about US$65) in Christmas cash grants to Nigerians.
To access the grants, one post published 8 December 2024 asks users to click a link and answer a few questions.
Some social media users have shown interest in the supposed grant, sharing their bank account details in the comment section.
Similar posts were found here and here. (Note: See more instances at the end of this report.)
But is this Christmas grant real? We checked.
Engagement bait scam
Africa Check found no official statement on any official government platforms or in reputable media about any Christmas grant from the government. An offer like this would be published through official government channels and reported by the media.
The Nigerian government announced free train rides for Nigerians from 20 December to 5 January 2025. If the Christmas grant were real, the government would likewise also take credit for it.
The post includes a link that directs users to a blog post about how to apply for a UK visa. The post then includes a short form requesting personal details, such as their bank account details.
Scammers commonly use these tactics to collect personal information. Such tactics are frequently used in online scams to lure unsuspecting victims.
This type of scam, promising financial rewards in the name of prominent individuals, government or private organisations, or popular company brands, is a common type of engagement bait tactic used on social media. Africa Check has debunked many similar claims.
Read more tips on how to spot fake Facebook scams here.
Similar posts were found here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
For publishers: what to do if your post is rated false
A fact-checker has rated your Facebook or Instagram post as “false”, “altered”, “partly false” or “missing context”. This could have serious consequences. What do you do?
Click on our guide for the steps you should follow.
Publishers guideAfrica Check teams up with Facebook
Africa Check is a partner in Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to help stop the spread of false information on social media.
The content we rate as “false” will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram. This means fewer people will see it.
You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
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