Banking
All You Need to Know About BVN, How to Retrieve it and Link it to Your GTBank Account
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To curb or reduce and illegal banking transaction in Nigerian banking system, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2015 directed all account holders home and abroad to enrol for a bank verification number also known as BVN.
BVN is an 11 digit identification number that gives every Nigerian with a bank account a unique identity that can be verified across the banking industry in Nigeria. This means even if you have accounts with all banks in Nigeria, you only need one BVN and you can link it to all other accounts.
This article will explain all you need to know about BVN and biometric, different ways to link BVN to your GTBank account and how to retrieve your unique number if forgotten by USSD or short code using phone and number (MTN, ETISALAT AND AIRTEL) associated with your bank account.
Bank verification number is a centralized biometric identification system launched by CBN in collaboration with all Nigerian banks to curb theft. Before we continue to top things you need to know about BVN, I will like to digress a little and explain the working principle of biometric.
Working Principle of Biometric
Biometric devices uses a reader or scanning device to scanned human biological data/characteristics like fingerprint, voice, facial features etc.., a software that coverts the scanned information into digital form & compares match points and a database that stores the biometric data for comparison. This data are usually encrypted to prevent identity theft.
To convert the biometric data, the software identifies specific points of data as match points. The match points in the database are processed using an algorithm that translates that information into a numeric value. The data set value is then compare with the Biometric the end user has entered into the scanner and authentication is either approved/granted or denied.
The working principle of biometric remains the same, no matter what methodology is employed. That is, a record of human’s unique biological data that is captured and kept in database and when verification is required, a new record is captured and compared with the previous one in the database. If it matches, it confirms the identity. It is a more secure means of identification or authorization to password.
Top things You Should Know About Bank Verification Number
- Your BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all Nigerian banks.
- Registration in one bank covers all accounts you have in all other banks.
- It takes up to 24 hours after registration to get a BVN. You will receive SMS alert.
- A BVN identification card with a computer chip bearing your embedded personal information will be available for collection at your designated bank branch.
- It is free, reduces fraudulent activities and increases the efficiency of banking operations.
- At point of registration, your fingerprint and facial image will be captured.
- Your Bank Accounts are protected from unauthorized access.
- Gives easy access to Banking operations.
- Your Bank Verification Number remains the same for life.
How To Link Your BVN To Your GTBank Account
As far as internet banking and integration of top notch state of the art technology into banking system is concerned in Nigeria, Gtbank has always been on the top position. Gtbank has provided series of ways to link Bank Verification Number to your guarantee trust bank account.
1.) Link BVN to GTBank via SMS
To link your BVN via SMS, just text + BVN number to 08076665555. E.g. BVN to 08076665555 .
2.) GTB BVN Linking Process in ATMs
- Insert your Gtbank ATM card.
- Then select BVN Link on the transaction menu screen.
- Enter your 11-Digit Bank Verification Number.
- Confirm your BVN details.
- Finally, submit your BVN.
3.) BVN Linking Process via GTBank Internet Banking
- Log in to your Gtb internet banking dashboard.
- Select BVN Linker from the left-hand panel.
- Click on New Request.
- From the drop down menu, insert your Bank Verification Number was issued.
- Select the Nigerian Bank were BVN was Issued.
- Answer your Secret Question and continue.
4.) BVN Linking Process via the BVN Portal on GTBank Website
- Input your GTBank Nuban and click Verify Account Number.
- Select the Nigerian Bank where your Bank Verification Number was issued.
- Input the BVN number obtained from another Nigerian Bank.
- Clink on Submit.
Please visit (www.gtbank.com/bvnlinking) to link your BVN.
5.) BVN Linking Process via 737 Mobile Banking
To link your BVN via 737, simply dial *737*20*BVN# .
How To Retrieve Bank Verification Number on Phone
To check BVN number on phone, simply dial *565*0# on a number associated or linked to your account. This works for all Nigerian mobile networks and banks. GTBank will charge you N10 naira for this transaction; it might be more or less for other banks.
You can also retrieve your bank verification number online via GTBank internet banking platform. If you have an account GTBank and have activated it for online banking, you can check your BVN number by just signing in with your PC.
That’s all on bank verification number (BVN) in Nigeria banking industry and everything else associated with it.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The six edition of the Hackaholics of Wema Bank Plc has produced 20 top finalists shared equally between two streams, Ideathon and Hackathon.
The Hackathon finalists are Rapid DEV, Secure IT, Neurafeed, Trust Lock Babcock, Pulse Track, IlluminiTrust, Trust Lock FUTA, Fix Fraud AI, KASH Flow and VOC AI.
The Ideathon finalists include PLOY, Fertitude, VarsityScape, Mama ALERT, StockMed, Chao, All Arbitrate, FarmSlate, Sane AI and Cycle X.
They emerged after a two-day pre-pitch held on December 16 and 17, 2025, for the grand finale slated for Friday, December 19, 2025.
They grand finale of Hackaholics 6.0 will convene the top players in Africa’s tech and innovation ecosystem, creating an avenue for these finalists to not only put their creativity to the ultimate test but also give their solutions visibility to potential investors for additional funding opportunities beyond the prizes to be won.
The prizes to be won for the Ideathon include N25 million for the winner, N20 million for the first runner-up, N15 million for the second runner-up and N5 million each for two women-led teams.
In the Hackathon category, the first to fourth-place winners will receive N20 million, N15 million, N10 million and N5 million, respectively.
The pre-pitch saw the top 43 contenders battle in a game of innovation and problem solving, presenting compelling pitches for a chance to make it to top 10 in their respective streams.
After a rigorous stretch of pitches and presentations, the top 20 emerged, securing their spot in the grand finale of Hackaholics 6.0.
“Hackaholics started off as a hackathon and morphed into an ideation. For Hackaholics 6.0, the sixth edition, we decided to give both the builders of new solutions and the refiners of existing ones, an opportunity to make meaningful impact.
“For us at Wema Bank, we understand that innovation isn’t just building from scratch. Sometimes, it’s looking at what exists and developing new ways to optimise that and create more efficiency. This is the idea behind our two-stream Ideathon-Hackathon structure.
“Every year, Hackaholics shows us just how eager and motivated Nigerian youth are when it comes to exploring creativity and innovation, and we are honoured to be the institution that provides them with the platform and resources to put this drive to good use.
“We toured seven cities, indulged 1,460 participants and discovered hundreds of remarkable ideas; some of which needed some refining and some of which deserved to move to the next stage.
“For those who needed to go back to the drawing board, we provided useful guidance and for the top contenders, we were able to shortlist to the top 43, who proceeded to the pre-pitch. To every participant, Wema Bank is proud of you. This is just the beginning,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it will enforce penalties against designated banks that delay the remittance of customs revenue, in a move aimed at strengthening transparency and safeguarding government earnings.
This was disclosed in a statement on the NCS official account on X, formerly known as Twitter and signed by its spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, who said the delays undermine the efficiency, transparency, and integrity of government revenue administration.
“The Nigeria Customs Service has noted instances of delayed remittance of customs revenue by some designated banks following reconciliation of collections processed through the B’odogwu platform,” the statement read.
“Such delays constitute a breach of remittance obligations and negatively impact the efficiency, transparency, and integrity of government revenue administration.
“In line with the provisions of the Service Level Agreement executed between the Nigeria Customs Service and designated banks, the Service hereby notifies stakeholders of the commencement of enforcement actions against banks found to be in default of agreed remittance timelines.”
Mr Maiwada disclosed that any bank that fails to remit collected Customs revenue within the prescribed timeline will be liable to penalty interest calculated at three per cent above the prevailing Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate for the period of the delay.
He added that affected banks would be formally notified of the delayed amounts, the applicable penalty, and the deadline for settlement.
“Accordingly, any designated bank that fails to remit collected Customs revenue within the prescribed period shall be liable to penalty interest calculated at three per cent above the prevailing Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate for the duration of the delay.
“Affected banks will receive formal notifications indicating the delayed amount, applicable penalty, and the timeline for settlement,” the statement read.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The deputy managing director of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Limited, Mr Ini Ebong, has offloaded some shares of FBN Holdings Plc, the parent firm of the banking institution.
A regulatory notice from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited confirmed the development on Thursday.
It was disclosed that the transaction occurred on Friday, December 12, 2025, on the floor of the stock exchange.
The sale involved about 11.8 million shares, precisely 11,783,333 units traded at N31.14 per share, amounting to about N366.9 million.
Mr Ebong, who studied Architecture from University of Ife and obtained Bachelor and Master of Science degrees, became the DMD of First Bank in June 2024. Prior to this appointment, he was Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking since January 2022.
He was previously the Group Executive, Treasury and International Banking, a position he held since 2016 after serving as the bank’s Treasurer from 2011 to 2016.
Before joining First Bank, he was the Head of African Fixed Income and Local Markets Trading, Renaissance Securities Nigeria Limited, the Nigerian registered subsidiary of Renaissance Capital. He also worked with Citigroup for 14 years as Country Treasurer and Sales and Trading Business Head.
He has a passion for market development and has worked actively to drive change and internationalisation of the Nigerian financial markets: foreign exchange, fixed income and securities.
He has worked closely with regulatory bodies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Debt Management Office (DMO) in assisting with the development of fresh monetary and foreign exchange policies, to broaden and deepen markets and open them up to international practices.
At various times he has facilitated and delivered courses and seminars on a wide variety of subjects covering Money Markets, Securities and Foreign exchange trading and market risk management subjects to regulators, corporate customers, banks and market participants.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
1 Comment