How to Open OPay Account: Step by Step Guide (2026)

Opening OPay account is one of the easiest things to do. You don’t need to visit their office or fill out any long form like commercial banks do. Everything can be done right on your phone, and it takes just a few minutes.

OPay is actually one of the most popular digital banking apps in Nigeria, with over 35 million users. With OPay, you can send and receive money, pay bills, buy airtime and data, save money, and even get loans.

In fact, in January 2026 the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) even upgraded OPay to a national bank status, which means it is now more trusted and more regulated, just like every other big bank you have ever known.

This information will guide you on how to open an OPay account step by step, including what you need before you start and how to upgrade your account to enjoy higher limits.

What I like about OPay

Before you start the registration, here are a few things I really like about OPay and want you to also know:

OPay is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), so your money is safe with them; no fear.
Your phone number is your OPay account number, very simple to remember.
An OPay account comes in three tiers (Tier 1, 2, and 3). Each tier has different transaction limits, and the higher the tier, the higher your limits.
You only need either a BVN or NIN to open an OPay account.
OPay registration is completely free.
OPay has bonuses on airtime and data purchases and other amazing features that can give you small daily interests.

What You Need to Open an OPay Account

Before you start, make sure you have the following ready:

A smartphone (Android or iPhone)
An active phone number
Your NIN (National Identification Number)
Your BVN (Bank Verification Number) (only needed when you want to upgrade to higher tiers)

OPay Account Tiers and Transaction Limits

Like I said earlier, OPay operates three account tiers. What you can do on your OPay account will depend on the tier you are on. Here is a quick rundown of each tier:

Account Tier	Requirements	Daily Transaction Limit	Max Account Balance
Tier 1	Phone number and NIN	₦50,000	₦300,000
Tier 2	BVN and verification of residential address	₦200,000	₦500,000
Tier 3	Valid ID, utility bill, and passport photograph	₦5,000,000	Unlimited

We recommend you review these resources How to Contact Opay Customer Care (2026)

Note: For first-time users, your account will automatically start with Tier 1, and then you can choose to upgrade. So if you only need OPay for small everyday transactions, Tier 1 is okay to start with.

But if you want to do heavy transactions and have huge money in your OPay account, you will need to upgrade to either Tier 2 or Tier 3.

How to Open OPay Account Step by Step

Follow this step-by-step procedure to create a new OPay account:

1. Download the OPay app.

Download the OPay app from the Google Play Store if you are using an Android phone or the App Store if you are using an iPhone.
On the app store, search for “OPay” in the search bar.
When the app pops up, install it.

2. Click on “Register.”

Now, open the app.
At the bottom, you’ll see this: “Don’t have an OPay account yet?” Under it, you’ll see “Click here to get one.”
Tap on “click here to get one.”
Type in your phone number in the phone number space
Accept the terms by tapping on the “I have read, understood, and agreed to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.”
Tap Next

3. Verify Your Phone Number

OPay will send a One-Time Password (OTP) to the phone number you entered.
Enter the OTP in the space provided to verify your number.
If you did not receive the OTP after a few seconds, tap Resend OTP.
Now, you’ll proceed to the next step.

4. Set Up Your Password

Create a strong 6-digit password for your OPay account
Re-enter the password to confirm it.
Tap Next to continue.

5. Enter Your NIN

Enter your National Identification Number (NIN)
OPay will verify the NIN against your details.
Your details must match with your NIN information.
Tap Submit

OPay will verify and validate your information instantly, and if successful, your OPay account will be ready for use instantly.

6. Set Your Transaction PIN

OPay will ask you to create your transaction PIN.
A transaction pin is a 4-digit pin used for every transaction.
Enter the 4-digit PIN and confirm it, and that’s all.

We recommend you review these resources How to Log in to OPay with your phone Number and Password

How to Upgrade Your OPay Account to Tier 2

If you want to increase your daily transaction limit from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000, you need to upgrade to Tier 2 following these steps.

Open your OPay app and log in.
Tap on “Me” from the right bottom of your app.
Click the settings icon at the top right corner of the app.
Select “My Profile.”
Tap on “Account Tier.”
Select Tier 2
Enter your BVN in the BVN section.
Enter your NIN in the NIN section.
Complete the live selfie verification.
Submit
Once verified, your account will be upgraded automatically.

How to Upgrade Your OPay Account to Tier 3

Tier 3 gives you a daily transaction limit of ₦5,000,000 and an unlimited account balance. To upgrade to Tier 3, you will need the following:

Means of identification (NIN slip, international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license)
A utility bill or any document that shows your residential address (the document must not be older than 3 months)
A passport photograph

How to upgrade:

From that same account tier, select Tier 3.
Upload a clear photo of your valid ID (NIN, driver’s license, or any valid ID documents)
Upload a valid utility bill and then upload your passport photograph.
Submit
Once verified, your account will be upgraded automatically.

How to Open OPay Account Using USSD (Without Internet)

If you don’t have a smartphone or you cannot access the app for any reason, you can also open an OPay account using the USSD code. Below are the steps to follow:

Dial *955# from the number you want to use
Select 1 to register
From there, follow the on-screen prompts to complete your registration.

What Can You Do With Your OPay Account?

Once your OPay account is active, you can

Send and receive money
Pay bills
Do subscriptions to DSTV, GOTV, LAWMA
Pay electricity, water, and other utility bills
Buy airtime
Subscribe data
Save money and earn interest
Borrow and Receive loans
Order an OPay debit card

We recommend you review these resources How to Lock Money on OPay and Start Saving (2026)

FAQs About Opening an OPay Account

Is opening an OPay account free?

Yes. Just like every other bank, opening an OPay account is completely free.

Do I need a BVN to open an OPay account in 2026?

You can use a basic OPay account on Tier 1 without BVN, but you’ll be limited to many features. BVN is needed when you want to upgrade to Tier 2 to access higher transaction limits.

Can I open an OPay account with a USSD code?

Yes. You can open an OPay account using the OPay USSD code *955# without a smartphone or internet connection.

What is the OPay USSD code?

The OPay USSD code is *955#. You can use it to perform basic transactions like transfers, buy airtime and data, check account balance, block account access, etc.

Can I use the same phone number for two OPay accounts?

No. Each phone number can only be linked to one OPay account, but you can use the same BVN and NIN for different accounts as long as they match your details.

Other resources:

Conclusion

Opening an OPay account in Nigeria in 2026 is very, very simple, and it takes just a few minutes to complete the whole thing.

All you need to do is to download the app, enter your phone number, verify with your identity, and set your PIN. That is all you need to get started on Tier 1.

With time, you can choose to upgrade to OPay Tier 2 or Tier 3 to enjoy higher limits.

How to Open OPay Account in Nigeria: Step by Step Guide (2026)

What I like about OPay

What You Need to Open an OPay Account

OPay Account Tiers and Transaction Limits