Bank Verification Number Nigeria: A Complete Guide

In Nigeria, the Bank Verification Number (BVN) is a unique 11-digit identifier assigned to every bank customer. This number is used to verify the identity of bank customers and prevent financial crimes.

The BVN was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014 to enhance financial inclusion and reduce the risk of identity theft.

To obtain a BVN, you'll need to visit any CBN-accredited bank branch with your valid means of identification, such as a National Identity Card or International Passport.

BVN registration is mandatory for all Nigerian bank customers, and failure to register may result in restricted access to banking services.

A Bank Verification Number (BVN) is an 11-digit number used to identify customers of financial institutions in Nigeria, introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) on February 14, 2014.

Your BVN is linked to your biometric information, including date of birth, full name, and contact details, which are captured during the registration process at any bank or verified registration center.

The BVN is used to prevent financial crimes and fraud nationwide, and it's a unique banking identification number that ensures your account is not susceptible to fraudsters.

Here are some reasons why you need a Bank Verification Number:

The BVN serves as a means of verifying and authenticating the identity of bank customers, and it's linked to an individual's biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, as well as personal information such as full name, date of birth, and contact details.

The primary purpose of the BVN is to create a centralized database of unique identifiers for all bank customers in Nigeria, which helps to prevent identity theft, financial fraud, and other illegal activities.

You can check your BVN number using a USSD code or the BVN validation portal.

To check your BVN using the USSD code, dial *565*0# on your mobile phone using the same number you used to register your BVN. You'll be charged a service fee of N20.

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Alternatively, you can check your BVN online through the BVN validation portal. To do this, log in to the NIBBS portal, input your BVN and date of birth used during registration, and click on the search button.

The BVN validation portal requires a nominal service charge, which is currently N25.

You can also check your BVN using the NIBSS website. To do this, visit the NIBSS website, input your name and date of birth, type in the phone number linked to your BVN, and click on “Submit.”

The NIBSS website charges a verification fee of N20, which you'll need to pay before you can see your verified BVN on your screen.

Here are the steps to check your BVN using the NIBSS website:

Once your payment is successful, you'll see your verified BVN displayed on your screen.

You can contact the BVN helpdesk through their toll-free number, 0700-2255-226, or email, [email protected]. Make sure to have your details ready.

To get help from the BVN helpdesk, you'll need to provide your full name, date of birth, email address, and phone number linked to your BVN.

They'll verify your details and send you your BVN details from the comfort of your current location.

If you need to check your BVN online, you'll need to own a bank account. There are two ways to check your BVN online, and one of them is by using a USSD code.

You can check your BVN online by dialing the USSD code *565*0# on the phone number you used to register for your BVN. This code will prompt you to confirm the N20 fee and input your transaction pin.

To check your BVN online, you don't need to be connected to the internet, making it a fast and convenient option. With just N20, your digits will be displayed on your screen.

If you're using a USSD code to check your BVN online, you'll need to confirm that you agree to the prompted N20 fee. This is a small price to pay for the convenience of checking your BVN from the comfort of your own home.

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In Nigeria, your BVN number is a vital component in various banking and financial transactions.

Using official channels is crucial to safeguard your personal information and BVN number.

Protecting your BVN number ensures seamless access to banking and financial services in Nigeria.

By understanding the process and utilizing the available online methods, you can conveniently check your BVN number whenever the need arises.

The Bank Verification Number (BVN) project was launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with all Nigerian Banks on February 14, 2014.

The BVN project aims to uniquely identify every customer across the Nigerian Banking industry using biometric details.

To enroll for the BVN, you can get to any Moneyfield MFBank branch and fill out an enrolment form, or visit a Zenith branch and download the enrolment form from their website.

Present yourself for biometric data capture at the branch, and an Enrolment Ticket ID will be issued to you at the end of the biometric capture exercise.

Your BVN will be sent to you via SMS after 48 hours of enrollment.

You can also check your BVN from your 9mobile, Airtel or MTN line by dialling *565*0# after 48 hours of enrollment.

Here are the steps to enroll for the BVN: