How to Check BVN on MTN, Airtel, Glo & 9mobile
You are here because you want to know how you can check your BVN. Possibly you need your BVN urgently that you can’t afford to waste time by going to your bank to request your BVN. Well, with the help of technology that is available now, with your mobile phone, you can check your BVN on the spot. You can use any phone to do this whether smartphone or not.
What is BVN?
BVN is an acronym that stands for Bank Verification Number. It is an 11-digit number assigned to each bank customer to give him or her a unique identity across the Nigerian Banking industry. It is used for customer’s easy identification and verification at various points of banking operations.
Bank Verification Number was launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with all banks in Nigeria as a centralized biometric identification system for the banking industry on February 14, 2014. Biometrics means the identification of an individual based on his/her physiological attributes such as fingerprint, voice, and facial features, etc.
The launch of BVN is aimed at tackling the rising incidents of compromise on the use of passwords and PINS which conventional security systems we all used to. It helps in providing greater secure access to sensitive or personal information in the banking system.
How Do I check my BVN?
There are different ways you can use to check your BVN. Just as mentioned before, you can retrieve your BVN via your phone regardless of the line you are using whether MTN, Airtel, Glo, or 9mobile. Also, you can check your BVN details online. So, let’s tackle this one by one.
How to Check BVN on MTN
If you are using MTN, you just need to follow the following steps:
Step 1: Dial USSD code: *565*0# on your phone.
Step 2: Wait for a moment. Within a few seconds, you will receive a message on your phone screen saying “Your BVN is XXXXXXXXXXX.”
Step 3: You quickly copy the BVN in a safe place.
(See important information below for more details)
How to Check BVN on Airtel
If you are using Airtel, you just need to follow the following steps:
Step 1: Dial USSD code: *565*0# on your phone.
Step 2: Wait for a moment. Within a few seconds, you will receive a message on your phone screen saying “Your BVN is XXXXXXXXXXX.”
Step 3: You quickly copy the BVN in a safe place.
(See important information below for more details)
How to Check BVN on Glo
If you are using Glo, you just need to follow the following steps:
Step 1: Dial USSD code: *565*0# on your phone.
Step 2: Wait for a moment. Within a few seconds, you will receive a message on your phone screen saying “Your BVN is XXXXXXXXXXX.”
Step 3: You quickly copy the BVN in a safe place.
(See important information below for more details)
How to Check BVN on 9mobile
If you are using 9mobile, you just need to follow the following steps:
Step 1: Dial USSD code: *565*0# on your phone.
Step 2: Wait for a moment. Within few seconds, you will receive a message on your phone screen saying “Your BVN is XXXXXXXXXXX.”
Step 3: You quickly copy the BVN in a safe place.
(See important information below for more details)
Important Information
*If you are using a phone with dual SIM cards, you need to use the number that you used to enroll for BVN. The number is linked to your bank account. However, if you can’t remember the exact number you used to register your BVN, then you may try all your numbers to dial the USSD code: *565*0#. However, if you dialed through the wrong line, you will receive a message saying: “Sorry, your phone number is not enrolled on the BVN platform. Please contact your bank for further assistance.” This means that you will need to dial the code with your other number.
**Please, note that the message displayed on your phone screen showing your BVN is not a text message. You need to quickly copy in a safe place. Alternatively, you can take a screenshot of the phone screen before the message disappears.
If you allow it to disappear, you may need to repeat the process. Each time you make a new request, your service provider will charge you N20.
How to Check BVN in Other Ways
Another way you can use to check your BVN is by logging in to your internet banking platform. You will find your BVN displayed on your dashboard. Also, some banks use unique USSD. But the generic way of checking BVN is through the use of *565*0# on the telephone line used to enroll for the BVN
Other things you may need to know about Bank Verification Number are discussed below:
How to Register for BVN in Nigeria
You should understand that BVN enrolment is compulsory for all bank customers. If you are yet to register for BVN, the process of registration is very simple. You just need to take the following steps:
- Visit any of your bank branches or the branch closest to you.
- Collect and complete the BVN Enrolment form from the customer care centre. Alternatively, you can visit your bank’s website to download the form and then complete it.
- Submit yourself at your designated bank location for data capturing. The bank will take your biometrics such as fingerprint, facial image, and signature). Please note that the bank will request your means of identification such as international passport, national identity card, voter card, or driver’s license with a clear picture. If you use eyeglasses, you will be asked to remove your glasses during data capturing. Also, if you come for enrolment with bandaged or injured fingers, you may be asked to return when your fingers are healed.
- The bank will print and give you’re your transaction ID. Then you can go
- Expect to receive your BVN via SMS through the telephone number you provided within 24 hours.
Customers living abroad can register for BVN by visiting their designated locations outside Nigeria. You should visit your bank’s website to check for these designated locations.
How to Link Your BVN to Other Bank Accounts
If you have more than one bank account and you have already registered for BVN, you don’t need to go through the registration process again. What you need to do is just link your BVN to these other accounts. It doesn’t matter whether you have the other account in the same bank or other banks in Nigeria. To link your BVN to other accounts, just visit the bank you want to link your BVN with, they will help you do this in a jiffy. If you operate a joint account, all signatories to the account are expected to be linked.
However, if you don’t want to visit the bank, each bank has its unique linking process. Let me discuss a few of these below:
How to Link your BVN to GTBank Account
To link your Bank Verification Number details to your GTBank account, you can make use of any of ATMs nationwide, Internet Banking platform, or visit the BVN linking portal on our website to complete your request.
BVN Linking Process via Internet Banking:
- Log on to Internet Banking
- Select BVN Linker from the left-hand panel
- Click on New Request
- From the drop-down menu, insert your Bank Verification Number
- Select the Nigerian Bank where your BVN was Issued
- Answer your Secret Question and continue
BVN Linking Process via ATMs:
- Insert GTBank ATM Card
- Select BVN Link on the transaction menu screen
- Enter your 11-Digit BVN
- Confirm your BVN details
- Submit your BVN
BVN Linking Process via SMS
To link your BVN via SMS, simply text your BVN details to 08076665555
E.g. BVN <01234567890> to 08076665555
BVN Linking Process via the 737 BVN linker
To link your BVN via 737 BVN linker, simply dial *737*20*BVN
How to Link your BVN to Wema Bank Account
If you want to link your BVN details to your WEMA bank account using USSD code, simply dial *945*BVN# on your phone and press the send button.
Another option available to you is by using the BVN linking portal.
How to Link Your BVN to Access Bank Account
Access bank customers can link their BVN to their Access bank through SMS, or via internet banking
To link your BVN via SMS, follow this step:
- Simply text BVN, your account number, and BVN number to 20121 e.g. BVN 06812345678 22498765432 to 20121
To link your BVN via Internet Banking, follow this step:
- Login on the Internet Banking platform
- Select the Service Requests Menu
- Select Initiate Service Request
- Select Link BVN
How to Link Your BVN to Zenith Bank Account
If you enrolled for BVN in another bank and you want to link your BVN to Zenith Bank Account, simply dial *966*your BVN# eg *966*12222222222#. You should dial this USSD code from the mobile number on which you receive bank notifications. This applies to Individual Naira accounts only.
How to Link Your BVN to Fidelity Bank Account
If you enrolled for BVN in another bank and you want to link your BVN to Fidelity Bank Account, simply dial *770*02#. You should dial this USSD code from the mobile number on which you receive bank notifications.
How to Link Your BVN to UBA Bank Account
To link your BVN to your UBA account, simply dial *919*6# and then enter your BVN.
For all the banks mentioned above and other banks not captured, you can link your BVN to your account through their portal if you operate internet banking.
Read Also: UBA Internet Banking: Complete Step by Step Guide
Benefits of BVN
- It provides a unique customer identity that can be easily verified across the Nigerian banking industry regardless of the customer’s bank.
- It provides faster and easier credit check
- It is an authentic means of identification.
- It helps in the non-repudiation of transactions.
- It is more efficient in fraud management.
- It helps in the protection of customers’ bank account from unauthorized access.