How to Check Your BVN and Link It to Your Bank Accounts (2026)

October 15, 2026

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Last updated: 15 October 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy

Your Bank Verification Number (BVN) is the 11-digit number that ties all your Nigerian bank accounts to one identity. You need it to open an account, get a loan, set up a fintech app or reset a banking profile. Many people have lost track of theirs, and a new set of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rules that took effect on 1 May 2026 makes it more important to know which phone number is linked to it. This guide shows how to check your BVN, how to link it to your accounts, and what to do if you cannot get to the linked phone.

The fees and steps below come from Nigerian bank and fintech guides and news reports dated 2024 to 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so. Always confirm with your bank or NIBSS before you pay anyone.

The short answer

The fastest way to check your BVN is to dial *565*0# from the phone number linked to it. Guides put the fee at about N20.
You can also check it in your bank app or internet banking, on the NIBSS validation portal, by calling the BVN helpdesk on 0700-2255-226, or at a bank branch or NIMC office.
Your BVN is linked to your accounts automatically when you open an account or finish KYC. If an older account is not linked, your bank can add it at a branch.
Since 1 May 2026, you can change the phone number on your BVN only once, according to news reports of a CBN circular dated 12 March 2026.
NIBSS data reported by Legit.ng shows 70,347,047 BVN enrolments as of 28 September 2026.

What a BVN is

The CBN and NIBSS (the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System) launched the BVN on 14 February 2014. It is a unique 11-digit number linked to your biometrics (fingerprints and face) and to every account you hold with Nigerian banks. Banks use it to confirm who you are, stop fraud and make sure one person cannot pass as another. It does not give anyone access to your money by itself, but it should be treated as private.

How to check your BVN

1. Dial 5650# (USSD)

Dial *565*0# on the phone number you gave your bank when you registered. Guides say this works on MTN, Glo and Airtel with or without internet, and one guide lists 9mobile as well. You are asked to confirm the fee and some guides mention a transaction PIN. Your BVN then shows on screen or arrives by SMS. It will not work from a different SIM. For other useful short codes, see our list of USSD codes in Nigeria.

2. Use your bank app or internet banking

Log in and open My Profile or Account Information. Look for View BVN or BVN Details. One guide says this is free. Not every bank shows the BVN in its app, so if you cannot find it, use another method.

3. Use the NIBSS validation portal

Go to the NIBSS BVN page, enter your name, date of birth and the linked phone number, pay the small fee and the BVN appears on screen. Guides disagree on the fee: two say N20 and one says N25. Use only the official NIBSS site and avoid third-party websites and apps that ask you for extra payments.

4. Call the BVN helpdesk

Call the toll-free line 0700-2255-226 or email bvn@nibss-plc.com.ng with your full name, date of birth, email address and linked phone number. They verify you before sharing your BVN.

5. Visit your bank or a NIMC office

Bring a valid ID such as an international passport, national ID card or driver’s licence. A bank can retrieve your BVN on the spot, and one guide says this service is free (the bank may charge its normal fees). A NIMC office can also help if you have your National Identification Number (NIN).

Fees for checking your BVN by USSD, portal and bank

How to link your BVN to your bank accounts

You do not normally link a BVN yourself. Banks must confirm your BVN when you open an account or complete KYC (the identity checks banks run on customers), so it is linked at that point. To make sure all your accounts are covered:

Check that the name, date of birth and phone number on your bank profile match the details on your BVN.
If a bank says an account is not linked, visit a branch with your BVN, a valid ID and your account details, and ask the bank to link it.
Keep your NIN, BVN and phone number consistent. A 2024 report from Abuja said some banks asked customers to link BVN and NIN, and warned of restrictions for those who did not. The CBN had earlier set a “post no debit” restriction for accounts without a BVN or NIN. Check with your bank on the current status of your accounts.

Some banks and fintech apps let you add a BVN inside the app. If yours does, use only the official app. Never send your BVN to someone who messages you offering to “link” or “unblock” your account.

Timeline of BVN launch and 2026 rule changes

New BVN rules from 1 May 2026

According to The Times of Nigeria, the CBN signed a circular on 12 March 2026 that took effect on 1 May 2026. Another outlet, CrispNG, noted that it relies on reports and does not cite the circular itself, so confirm details with your bank. Together with NIBSS commentary, the reported changes are:

Phone number: you can change the number linked to your BVN only once in your lifetime. Further changes need exceptional regulatory approval.
24-hour watchlist: a BVN linked to suspicious activity can be put on a watchlist for up to 24 hours. Your account may be restricted while the bank contacts you.
Minimum age: independent BVN enrolment is limited to people aged 18 and over. Minors’ finances go through products held by a guardian.
Data access: only CBN-licensed financial institutions can access BVN data.
One device: separate CBN controls cited in the same reports let a mobile banking app run on one device at a time, with a N20,000 transaction cap for the first 24 hours on a new device.

The practical lesson: before you change your phone number on your BVN, be sure it is the number you intend to keep, ideally the one linked to your NIN.

If you no longer have the linked phone

Visit your bank with a valid ID. The bank can retrieve your BVN, and ask them how to update your number.
Use the NIBSS portal to submit your details and an alternative phone or email, then go to a branch with ID to finish, according to one guide.
Call the NIBSS helpdesk with proof of identity.
Remember the one-change limit above, so ask your bank how it applies to you before you start.

Stay safe

If your card or phone is stolen, see our guide on how to block your ATM card or bank account.

Never pay an agent or a stranger to “retrieve” or “fix” your BVN. Official bank and NIBSS channels are the only safe route.
Share your BVN only with your bank or an authorised service when you really need to.
Do not post a screenshot of your BVN on social media or in public groups.
Report unauthorised transactions to your bank immediately.

Frequently asked questions

What is the USSD code to check my BVN?

Dial *565*0# from the phone number linked to your BVN. Guides put the fee at about N20.

Is checking my BVN free?

Not always. USSD and the NIBSS portal charge small fees of about N20 to N25. Checking in a bank app, at a branch or through the helpdesk is described as free in one guide.

Can I change the phone number on my BVN?

Reports say you can now change it only once. Confirm the process and any approval needed with your bank first.

Does everyone with a bank account have a BVN?

Banks must confirm a BVN when you open an account, and the CBN planned to restrict accounts without a BVN or NIN. Ask your bank if yours is linked.

Is it safe to give my BVN to a loan app?

Only use apps and lenders that are licensed and have clear privacy terms. Under the new rules, access to BVN data is meant to be limited to CBN-licensed institutions.

Bottom line

Dialling *565*0# from the right SIM is the quickest check, and your bank app or branch is the safest backup. Keep one phone number for your BVN and NIN for the long run, since you may get only one change.

How to Check Your BVN and Link It to Your Bank Accounts (2026)

The short answer

What a BVN is