USSD Code for BVN: How to Check Your Bank Verification Number

A smartphone displaying a USSD banking screen for checking a Bank Verification Number, with a Nigerian bank card and mobile phone nearby.
Learn how to check your BVN quickly using the universal USSD method available across Nigerian mobile networks.


USSD Code for BVN: How to Check Your Bank Verification Number

Dial *565*0# from the phone number linked to your bank account to see your BVN instantly on screen. This code works across every Nigerian network (MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile) and every bank — it's a universal, CBN-backed code, not something built separately by each carrier or bank. UBA customers also have a bank-specific option: dial \*919#, select "inquiry," then "BVN inquiry."

How to Check Your BVN (Universal Method)

1. Confirm you're using the SIM that's actually linked to your bank account — not just any phone you own.

2. Dial *565*0#.

3. You may see a prompt confirming a small charge — accept it to proceed.

4. Your 11-digit BVN displays directly on screen within seconds.

Why This One Code Works Everywhere

*565*0# is a shared, industry-wide USSD shortcode that the Central Bank of Nigeria set up specifically for BVN retrieval — it isn't something MTN, Airtel, Glo, or any single bank built individually. That's the reason you'll find the same code repeated across dozens of "bank" or "network" guides online: there's genuinely only one universal code here, not several competing ones.

Checking Your BVN on UBA Specifically

UBA customers have two additional options beyond the universal code:

Option 1: UBA's Own USSD Code

1. Dial *919# from your UBA-registered number.

2. Select the inquiry option from the menu.

3. Choose BVN inquiry.

4. Enter your mobile banking PIN when prompted.

5. Your BVN displays on screen.

Option 2: UBA Mobile App

1. Open the UBA Mobile App (download from Google Play or the App Store if you don't have it).

2. Log in with your registered username and password.

3. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.

4. Scroll to the Security Information section.

5. Your BVN is displayed there — copy or screenshot it for your records.

This method needs an internet connection but doesn't carry the small USSD session charge that the phone-based methods do.

If It Doesn't Work

Problem  Likely Cause Fix
No response from 5650# Weak network signal Move to an area with better reception and retry
"BVN not found" Wrong phone number used Confirm you're dialing from the exact SIM linked to your BVN
Lost access to that SIM SIM lost, stolen, or deactivated Visit your bank in person with a valid ID to recover your BVN
UBA app doesn't show BVN under Profile Account verification incomplete Contact UBA support via in-app chat, or visit a branch

A Common Point of Confusion: BVN vs NIN

BVN and NIN are two separate identifiers in Nigeria, issued by different bodies, with different retrieval codes — it's easy to mix them up:

BVN NIN
Issued by Your bank, under CBN oversight NIMC (National Identity Management Commission)
Retrieval code 5650# *346#
Format 11 digits 11 digits

If *565*0# returns nothing, the most common reason is that you don't have a BVN linked to that particular line yet — not that the code itself is wrong.

Keep Your BVN Information Secure

Your BVN is sensitive personal data. Never share it with anyone claiming to need it over the phone, via WhatsApp, or by SMS — legitimate banks and agencies will never ask you to read out your BVN to confirm your identity over an unsolicited call. Scammers routinely impersonate bank staff specifically to harvest BVNs for fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a different BVN code for each network?

No — *565*0# is the same code across MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile; it's not network-specific.

Does UBA have its own separate BVN code?

Yes, *919# is UBA's dedicated code, in addition to the universal *565*0# that also works for UBA accounts.

Does it cost anything to check my BVN this way?

The USSD session typically carries a small standard charge, usually confirmed via an on-screen prompt before you proceed.

Can I check someone else's BVN with this code?

No — it only returns the BVN linked to the specific SIM you're dialing from.

What if I don't have my old SIM anymore?

Visit your bank branch in person with a valid ID to recover your BVN.


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