Can I Pay for My NRBVN in Naira from My Nigerian Account?

Can I Pay for My NRBVN in Naira from My Nigerian Account? A New Frontier for Diaspora Banking. In an increasingly digital world, staying connected to your home country’s financial ecosystem is more vital than ever—especially for Nigerians living abroad. Whether it's for real estate investment, supporting family back home, or ensuring smooth banking operations, having your Bank Verification Number (BVN) is non-negotiable. However, for non-residents, the regular BVN process isn’t as straightforward. That’s where the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) comes into play.

NRBVN is a tailored solution developed to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to enroll for BVN remotely—without needing to travel back to Nigeria or visit a Nigerian bank physically. But despite this innovation, one pressing question remains on the minds of many:

Can I pay for my NRBVN enrollment in Naira from my Nigerian bank account—even if I’m abroad?

The short answer is yes, but as with anything involving cross-border regulations and banking systems, the complete answer deserves a thorough, transparent exploration.

Understanding NRBVN: More Than Just a Digital BVN

Before diving into the payment methods, it’s essential to understand why the NRBVN matters in the first place. Introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and powered by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), NRBVN is a digitally-accessible identity solution designed for Nigerians who reside outside the country but still engage with the Nigerian banking system.

Unlike traditional BVNs, NRBVN allows for:

Remote biometric and facial verification

Document uploads from foreign countries

Real-time integration with Nigerian financial institutions

This system eliminates the need for expensive travel and enables secure participation in Nigeria’s banking network from anywhere in the world.

Why Naira-Based Payment Matters to Nigerians Abroad

Even though many Nigerians abroad earn in foreign currencies—USD, GBP, CAD, EUR—most still maintain bank accounts in Nigeria. These local accounts serve numerous purposes:

Sending money to family members

Managing rental properties or mortgages

Paying school fees or utility bills

Receiving earnings from Nigerian businesses or pensions

When it comes to enrolling for NRBVN, being able to pay using Naira from a Nigerian account is often:

More convenient: Especially if your foreign card is not accepted or faces high transaction fees

Faster: Naira bank transfers or card payments are instantly verified

More affordable: Avoiding currency conversion charges is a big plus

More secure: Domestic transactions are often less likely to be flagged by international fraud filters

Is It Officially Allowed to Pay in Naira for NRBVN?

Yes—according to multiple sources, including feedback from NRBVN applicants and updates from registration portals like nrbvn.ng, payments in Naira are fully supported and encouraged for Nigerians who have access to their local bank accounts, even from abroad.

💡 How It Works

The NRBVN enrollment platform provides multiple payment channels, including:

Naira Debit or Credit Cards (ATM cards issued in Nigeria)

Supported banks include GTBank, Zenith, Access Bank, First Bank, UBA, and others.

You’ll be redirected to a secure payment gateway (like Paystack or Flutterwave) to enter your card details.

Naira Bank Transfer

Some portals offer a “pay via transfer” option.

Once you initiate a transfer to the specified account, your transaction is confirmed within minutes.

Internet Banking

Direct login via your Nigerian bank’s internet banking platform.

Allows you to complete payment from anywhere in the world without visiting a branch.

Mobile Banking Apps

If you have the mobile app of your Nigerian bank installed (e.g., GTWorld, Zenith Mobile), you can complete your NRBVN payment in a few taps.

Why Some Diaspora Nigerians Prefer to Use Local Bank Accounts

Here are the real-world reasons many non-resident Nigerians still prefer to pay using Naira:

Dual Citizenship or Residency: Many have active responsibilities in both Nigeria and abroad.

Salary or Business Earnings in Naira: Freelancers, landlords, or business owners earning in local currency.

Family Dependents: Some prefer to have a family member complete the payment on their behalf in Nigeria.

Control & Familiarity: There’s often a deeper trust in the familiar Nigerian banking system than in complex foreign currency transactions.

Challenges Some Users Face When Paying in Naira From Abroad

Despite the benefits, there can be a few bumps in the road for those trying to pay from overseas:

🔸 OTP Issues (One-Time Passwords)

Many Nigerian banks require OTP verification via SMS or token to complete transactions. If your Nigerian phone line isn’t active abroad, this can be a problem. Solutions include:

Using a bank hardware token

Registering for email OTP instead of SMS (if your bank allows it)

Asking a trusted relative in Nigeria to assist

🔸 Card Declines

Some banks flag international logins or usage patterns as suspicious, causing transactions to fail. To resolve this:

Notify your bank you’ll be transacting from abroad

Use a VPN to simulate Nigerian IP location (only if allowed and secure)

Try another Nigerian card

🔸 Transfer Verification Delays

Occasionally, manual transfers may require confirmation by the enrollment portal team, which can cause minor delays in verification.