UBA Nigeria USSD Codes for Transfers, Airtime, Bills & More

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Last verified: September 30, 2025
Disclaimer: nigeriaussdcodes.com is an independent help site. We are not UBA. Codes and services may change; we link to official sources where possible.

Why UBA USSD Codes Matter

United Bank for Africa (UBA) is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most international banks, serving customers across 20+ African countries. Known for its red logo and “Africa’s Global Bank” slogan, UBA combines tradition with innovation.

In Nigeria, many UBA customers don’t always have internet access. That’s where UBA Magic Banking (*919#) comes in. With it, you can:

  • Transfer money to UBA or other banks.

  • Buy airtime and mobile data.

  • Pay utility bills and subscriptions.

  • Open a new account instantly.

  • Block your account in emergencies.

  • Request loans and savings products.

For millions of traders, students, and households, UBA USSD is a lifeline—giving them control over finances with just a few keypad presses.

Key takeaways
  • Main USSD code: *919# (UBA Magic Banking).
  • Check Balance: *919*00#.
  • Transfer to UBA: *919*3*AccountNumber*Amount#.
  • Transfer to Other Banks: *919*4*AccountNumber*Amount#.
  • Airtime (Self): *919*Amount#.
  • Airtime (Others): *919*RecipientNumber*Amount#.
  • Buy Data: *919# → Data.
  • Bill Payments: *919# → Bills.
  • Open Account: *919*20#.
  • Block Account: *919*911#.
UBA Nigeria USSD Codes (2025)
Service USSD Code Details
Register/Activate *919# Register with debit card or account number + BVN.
Check Balance *919*00# Shows balance instantly with PIN confirmation.
Transfer to UBA *919*3*AccountNumber*Amount# Intra-bank transfers within seconds.
Transfer to Other Banks *919*4*AccountNumber*Amount# Select destination bank, confirm with PIN.
Airtime (Self) *919*Amount# Recharge your UBA-registered line instantly.
Airtime (Others) *919*RecipientNumber*Amount# Recharge family/friends directly.
Buy Data *919# → Data Choose bundles across all networks.
Bill Payments *919# → Bills Pay electricity, TV, school fees, more.
Open Account *919*20# Open a UBA account instantly from your phone.
Block Account *919*911# Emergency code to block account if stolen/compromised.

How to Register & Activate UBA Magic Banking (*919#)

Before using UBA’s USSD service, you must register:

  1. Dial *919# on the phone number linked to your UBA account.

  2. Select “Register.”

  3. Enter your UBA account number.

  4. Provide your BVN or ATM card details (last 6 digits).

  5. Create a secure 4-digit PIN.

  6. Confirm the PIN.

You can now start using Magic Banking instantly.

Tip: If you don’t have a UBA account yet, dial *919*20# to open one directly on your phone.

How to Check Balance

  • Dial *919*00#.

  • Enter your 4-digit PIN.

  • Your balance appears on-screen and via SMS.

Practical examples:

  • A parent in Ibadan checks if salary has landed before paying school fees.

  • A trader in Kano quickly checks earnings after market sales.

Troubleshooting:

  • If “invalid code,” confirm you’re using your registered SIM.

  • If session expires, retry in off-peak hours.

Money Transfers with UBA USSD

Transfer to UBA Accounts

  • Dial *919*3*AccountNumber*Amount#.

  • Example: *919*3*1234567890*2000#.

  • Confirm name → Enter PIN → Done.

Transfer to Other Banks

  • Dial *919*4*AccountNumber*Amount#.

  • Choose bank from the menu.

  • Enter PIN to finalize.

Transfer limits: ₦100,000 per transaction; daily cumulative up to ₦1,000,000 (for higher tiers).

Why this matters: Students can pay fees instantly, families can send allowances, and businesses can settle suppliers without needing internet.

Airtime & Data Purchases

Airtime for Self

  • Dial *919*Amount#.

  • Example: *919*500# → ₦500 recharge.

Airtime for Others

  • Dial *919*RecipientNumber*Amount#.

  • Example: *919*08031234567*1000#.

Buy Data

  • Dial *919#.

  • Select “Data.”

  • Choose network and bundle.

  • Confirm with PIN.

Real-life use cases:

  • Parents top up children’s phones.

  • Business owners recharge staff lines.

  • Students quickly buy data during exams.

Paying Bills with UBA Magic Banking

UBA’s USSD covers almost all major billers:

  • Electricity: IKEDC, EEDC, PHED, EKEDC, etc.

  • TV subscriptions: DSTV, GOtv, Startimes.

  • Education: WAEC PINs, JAMB, school fees.

  • Internet providers: Smile, Spectranet, Swift.

Steps:

  1. Dial *919#.

  2. Select “Bills.”

  3. Choose service category.

  4. Enter customer ID or meter number.

  5. Enter amount.

  6. Confirm with PIN.

Opening a New UBA Account via USSD

If you don’t have an account, dial *919*20#.

  • Enter personal details (name, DOB, etc.).

  • A 10-digit UBA account number is generated instantly.

  • Visit a branch later to update full KYC.

This helps unbanked Nigerians join the financial system without paperwork.

Blocking Your UBA Account (Emergency)

Lost your phone or suspect fraud? Dial:

  • *919*911#.

This instantly blocks your account from further transactions. Visit a branch later to reactivate.

Security & PIN Tips

  • Always keep your PIN secret.

  • Avoid using easy sequences like 1234.

  • Change your PIN regularly via *919#.

  • If your SIM is swapped, block your account immediately.

  • Never disclose USSD confirmations to strangers.

Troubleshooting Common UBA USSD Issues

  1. Invalid MMI/Connection Problem

    • Ensure you’re dialing from your UBA-registered SIM.

    • Restart or toggle airplane mode.

  2. Session Timeout

    • Respond quickly (menus expire in 20s).

    • Retry during less busy hours.

  3. Failed Transfer

    • Confirm recipient account number.

    • Retry if network is congested.

    • If money is deducted but not received, call UBA Care with transaction ID.

  4. Airtime/Data Not Delivered

    • Check SMS for confirmation.

    • If unresolved, contact UBA support.

  5. PIN Blocked or Forgotten

    • Reset via *919# → Security options.

    • If fully locked, visit a UBA branch.

  6. Bill Payment Errors

    • Ensure customer ID/meter number is correct.

    • Make sure your account has enough funds for fees.

FAQs

Q1: What is UBA’s USSD code?
*919#.

Q2: Does it work without internet?
Yes, it’s fully offline.

Q3: How do I check my balance?
Dial *919*00#.

Q4: Can I transfer to other banks?
Yes, using *919*4*AccountNumber*Amount#.

Q5: What is the transfer limit?
₦100,000 per transaction; daily limits up to ₦1,000,000 depending on tier.

Q6: Can I recharge another person’s line?
Yes, with *919*RecipientNumber*Amount#.

Q7: How do I block my account if my phone is stolen?
Dial *919*911#.

Q8: Can I open an account without visiting a branch?
Yes, dial *919*20#.

Q9: What fees apply?
₦6.98 per session + bank charges.

Q10: Can I pay DSTV bills with USSD?
Yes, via *919# → Bills.

Q11: Can I buy data on all networks?
Yes, for MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile.

Q12: Can I get a loan via USSD?
Yes, some loan and savings products are accessible.

Q13: What happens if I send money to the wrong account?
Report immediately to UBA Care with details.

Q14: Can USSD work abroad?
Yes, if roaming is active (network charges apply).

Q15: Is UBA USSD safe?
Yes, as long as you keep your PIN private.

Conclusion

UBA Magic Banking (*919#) is one of the most versatile USSD services in Nigeria. It allows customers to manage money, recharge airtime, buy data, pay bills, and even block accounts—all from basic phones without internet.

This makes it especially powerful in rural areas and for customers who may not have smartphones. With features like account opening and emergency blocking, UBA continues to support financial inclusion across Nigeria.

For support, customers can reach UBA via:

  • UBA Customer Care: 07002255822

  • Website: <a href=”https://ubagroup.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>ubagroup.com</a>

  • Help Desk: *300 (general NCC help number).

Bookmark this guide so you never forget your UBA USSD codes.

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