Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) USSD Codes

Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) USSD Codes. Bridging Banking for Nigerians Abroad Through Mobile Simplicity. For many Nigerians living overseas, staying connected with their home country’s financial infrastructure is both essential and challenging. One of the most transformative innovations in recent Nigerian banking has been the introduction of USSD codes — short, rapid dialing commands that make banking possible without internet access. While these codes are widely used within Nigeria, many non-resident Nigerians (NRNs) are now asking:

Can I use USSD to register, verify, or pay for my Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN)?

This article takes a deep dive into the relationship between USSD banking and the NRBVN process, exploring:

What NRBVN is and why it's critical for diaspora Nigerians

The potential and limitations of USSD codes for NRBVN-related tasks

A bank-by-bank breakdown of USSD codes supporting BVN/NRBVN

Workarounds and diaspora-friendly solutions

Security tips, real-world scenarios, and best practices

Whether you're in the UK, the US, Canada, the UAE, or anywhere else, this guide will help you understand how mobile code-based banking is reshaping access to Nigerian services — including NRBVN.

Understanding the NRBVN

Let’s start with a quick overview.

The Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) is an initiative designed to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to register for a BVN — a biometric ID required to use any banking service in Nigeria — without traveling back to Nigeria. NRBVN is accepted by all commercial banks and is necessary for:

Opening or maintaining a Nigerian bank account

Sending/receiving large transactions

Complying with CBN regulations

Participating in remittance services or diaspora investment schemes

Traditionally, getting a BVN involved physically visiting a bank in Nigeria. NRBVN solves this by enabling remote enrollment, typically through online portals like nrbvn.ng, followed by payment and digital identity verification.

The Role of USSD in Nigerian Banking

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes are shortcodes like *737# or *901# that users dial from their mobile phones to access banking functions without the internet. These codes allow millions of Nigerians to:

Transfer money

Check balances

Buy airtime

Pay bills

Generate account statements

And in some cases, access BVN services

They are especially helpful in rural areas or low-internet environments — and for Nigerians abroad, they offer a bridge to home-country banking without complex apps or VPNs.

Can NRBVN Be Accessed via USSD?

Directly?

As of now, you cannot fully register or enroll for an NRBVN directly using USSD codes alone. Enrollment requires biometric data and document upload, which can't be done through a USSD interface.

However, USSD codes are critical for:

Paying the NRBVN registration fee from a Nigerian account

Checking the status of BVN-linked accounts

Verifying if a BVN is active

Managing your Nigerian bank account during the NRBVN process

Let’s look at some banks and the USSD services they offer for these use cases.

Top Nigerian Banks and Their USSD Codes for BVN/NRBVN Services

1. *GTBank – 737#

GTBank is one of the most USSD-forward banks in Nigeria. Its *737# code is widely used, including:

*737*20*BVN# — to link a BVN to your GTBank account

*737*6*1# — to check account balances

Payments for services, including NRBVN enrollment

To use these from abroad, your Nigerian SIM card must be roaming and active.

2. *Access Bank – 901#

Access Bank’s USSD code allows you to:

Check your account balance

Transfer to other banks

Buy airtime and data

Use *901*18# to retrieve your BVN (if previously registered)

Payment for NRBVN is possible if you initiate a transfer to the NRBVN service provider’s Nigerian account.

3. *UBA – 919#

UBA supports:

BVN inquiry

Money transfers

Airtime purchases

Mini-statements

Balance checks

They do not currently offer full NRBVN registration but support payments for services via USSD.

4. *Zenith Bank – 966#

Zenith’s *966# Smart Banking system includes:

Balance check

Transfers

Bill payments

BVN linkage

To use from abroad, make sure your Zenith-linked SIM is active and you’ve enabled USSD from your Nigerian location first.

5. *First Bank – 894#

First Bank provides:

*894*BVN# — to check your BVN

*894*amount*account number# — to transfer funds

Airtime, bill payments, and account services

This is useful if you’re funding your NRBVN payment from your First Bank account.