How To Check Your BVN in Nigeria 2025: A Complete Guide

The Bank Verification Number (BVN) is an 11-digit identification number unique to each person having a bank account in Nigeria. In fighting financial crimes, identifying an individual, and promoting financial stability in the country, the BVN plays an important role.

Why the BVN’s Importance?

It has certain objectives for which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the Bank verification number (BVN):

1. To prevent fraud in the banks.

2. To reduce opportunities for identity thefts and scams in operation of banks.

3. To prevent known scams of opening accounts through false identification, money laundering, etc.

4. To enable proper identification of genuine customers

5. To facilitate customers’ identification and verification easily and accurately for all Nigerian banks

6. To aid in the easy and simple process of onboarding customers and opening bank accounts

7. In fighting against corruption

8. To prevent money laundering, terrorism funding, and other financial crimes by providing each bank customer with a unique ID.

9. To bring more people into the banking system by establishing a secure and standardized means of identifying and screening bank customers.

10. To give CBN and other regulators access to regulate all types of operations.

11. To facilitate the quick identification and stoppage of illegal money transactions.

Find your bank branch or bank to have a face-to-face interaction with the Resourceful Customer Representative. Have a proof of identification to prove that you are truly the owner of that account. Because of the various protocols that come to us in opening an account, there is no need for you to worry about your information being shared with others.

Steps to Verify My BVN

Despite the fact that it is cheap, it is also one of the commonly used methods to check the BVN. This is by using the USSD code, that is dialing *565*0# from the mobile number associated with your BVN account.

Steps

1. Once you have done that, you will be prompted on the screen to follow the given instructions.

2. A small fee of airtime (₦20) will be deducted for this service.

3. Your BVN will display on the screen of your phone.

Why USSD Method Is Best?

1. It is really easy and fast to process.

2. It is applicable to any mobile phone user regardless of the network group.

3. It is a service that does not require internet connectivity.

Disadvantages of checking BVN via USSD method

1. It might not be accessible in parts of poor network coverage.

2. The service can sometimes become inactive due to the issue of network failure and much more things that are interconnected.

2. Check Your Bank Mobile App for BVN

Most of the banks in Nigeria would allow you to do this through their phone banking apps:

Steps

1. Download and set up your bank’s mobile bank app.

2. Sign in into the app using the details of your account.

3. Tap “Profile” “Settings” “Account Information” or “Help”.

4. View the “View BVN”, “Check BVN”; or something like that.

5. Follow the instruction to view your BVN.

Advantages of checking BVN using mobile banking app

1. It is very easy for the mobile banking app user.

2. It costs nothing for all bank customers.

Cons of checking with mobile banking app

1. You should possess internet and the bank’s app installed on your phone in order to view your BVN.

2. Checking under different bank mobile banking applications may not be the same.

3. Checking BVN with your banks ATM

Steps:

1. Insert your ATM card and select your PIN.

2. Find and choose “Check BVN” or similar options from ATM menu.

3. Your BVN will give you information on the display console.

Usefulness of obtaining BVN from ATM

1. It can be readily accessed by those who frequently visit ATMs.

2. Anytime at an ATMs, it can be visited.

Disadvantages of checking BVN with ATM:

1. ATMs always have to be physically visited by customers, and many ATMs do not offer that option.

4. Visit a Bank Branch: 

Instead, you may also go to a bank and just request customer care at the desk to give you your BVN.

You might need to produce a valid identification to prove that you are who you say you are.

Benefits of checking BVN at a bank’s branch:

1. This gives you a chance to speak to someone in person and have your queries answered immediate.

Disadvantages of checking BVN at the bank’s branch:

1. Such checking would be limited to the bank’s working hours and the procedure is often tedious.

2. There may be queues before one is able to reach a teller at the bank.

5. Checking your BVN at the NIBSS website

The BVN can also be checked on the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) website.

However, you may not access most of your information, including full details about your BVN, from the NIBSS website.

Why do you need a BVN as a Nigerian?

1. Important for banking operations

a) Opening new accounts with the banks-savings current foreign currency.

b) Application of loans and credit card.

c) Online banking and tele banking.

d) Interbank remittance.

e) Use of e-payment systems (for instance, POS, phone money sends).

2. Getting Financial Services

Every one of these requires several financial services such as insurance, investments, and pension plans.

3. Conducting Government Functions

In carrying out government functions, for example, paying tax, getting social aid, or applying for a passport.

4. For Identification Purposes:

It is the unique identifier for individuals under the financial system in Nigeria to improving security and reducing identity theft.

5. It facilitates conducting business activities

Companies use the BVN to check the identities of their workers and customers.

How can I safeguard my BVN?

1. Hide your BVN always from people you do not trust including your friends, family and strangers.

2. Beware of unknown caller, eg your bank’s customer care asking for your BVN; it can damage you a lot with your BVN.

3. Do not post your BVN on social media because scammers will use it.

4. Beware of caller or texter who tell you to send your BVN to win money or some tempted offers.

5. If you suspect that somebody is using your BVN without your knowledge, do complain to your bank in no time.

6. Always check your bank statement and be able to identify unrecognized transactions so that action can be taken as soon as possible.

7. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your online and mobile banking apps.

So, this is the conclusion:

The BVN is critical to the financial system in Nigeria, and if you know how to check your BVN and keep your information secured, you can ensure the safety of your money and bank account. You’ll also be able to make use of the many services that require BVN checks.

Heads up:

This info is merely a guideline and may change.

Visit the official sites of your bank and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) for the most recent updates and specific procedures.

This is not taken as financial or legal advice.

Note

This information is, of course, general guidance but it can change any time. Check the official CBN website in order to get the most accurate and up to date info from the Central Bank of Nigeria and other relevant regulatory bodies.