How To Open Opay Account Without BVN

Opay is a popular mobile payment service launched in Nigeria in 2018. It allows users to make quick payments, transfer money, pay bills, and more using their smartphones.

One of the requirements to open an Opay account is to provide your Bank Verification Number (BVN). However, some people may not have a BVN yet and still want to use Opay services.

In this post, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to open an Opay account without BVN in 2024.

What is Opay?

Opay is a mobile payment startup owned by Opera Software AS that aims to provide easy and secure mobile payments in Nigeria. It was launched in August 2018 and has quickly become one of the leading payment services in the country. Opay allows users to send and receive money, pay bills, buy airtime, pay for goods and services, and more.

Features

• Mobile wallet – Make transfers, deposits and withdrawals right from your phone.

• Vendor payments – Pay merchants and bills directly through the app.

• Airtime top up – Instantly recharge your mobile airtime.

• P2P transfers – Send money to anyone with just their phone number.

• Payments for services – Pay for things like electricity bills, TV subscriptions, etc.

• Interest earning wallet – Earn interest on savings in your Opay account.

• Discounted gift cards – Buy discounted gift cards for various merchants.

Why Opay Requires BVN

BVN (Bank Verification Number) is a unique identification system implemented by Nigerian banks to prevent fraud and enhance the security of banking services. The BVN links all your bank accounts and serves as a means of identification across the Nigerian financial system.

Opay, like most other financial services in Nigeria, requires users to provide their BVN when opening an account. This is because the BVN enables Opay to verify your identity and comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations set by the Central Bank of Nigeria. With your BVN, Opay can check your banking history and confirm that you are who you claim to be.

Some reasons Opay requires BVN include:

• Prevent fraud and money laundering

• Ensure every user has a unique identity on the platform

• Verify personal information provided during signup

• Comply with financial regulations

• Link bank accounts to enable certain services like bank transfers

The BVN helps Opay offer more secure and seamless services to customers. However, it’s still possible to use Opay without BVN by following the steps below.

How to Open Opay Account Without BVN

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to open an Opay account without providing your BVN:

Step 1: Download the Opay app

First, download the Opay app from the Google Play Store or iOS App Store. Make sure you download the latest version of the app.

Step 2: Sign up for an account

Once you install the app, sign up for a new Opay account. You’ll need to provide your full name, email address, phone number, and password. Make sure to use accurate information.

Step 3: Verify your phone number

After signing up, Opay will send a one-time password to the phone number you provided. Input this OTP to verify your phone number.

Step 4: Complete profile setup

Follow the instructions to set up your Opay profile. You’ll need to add a profile picture, set security questions, and accept the terms of service.

Step 5: Activate your account

To activate your new Opay account, you’ll need to fund it with a minimum of ₦100. You can fund your Opay wallet using various payment channels like bank transfer, debit/credit card, bank USSD, or Opay agent outlets.

Step 6: Use Opay services

Once your account is active, you can start using Opay services! Explore all that Opay offers like money transfers, airtime purchase, bill payments and more. However, without BVN you may be unable to access certain services like bank transfers.

Step 7: Provide BVN later (optional)

While you can use Opay without BVN, adding your BVN later can unlock more features. To add BVN, go to your Opay profile and click ‘Add BVN’. Input your BVN number and complete the verification process.

Pros and Cons of Using Opay Without BVN

Here are some pros and cons to consider when using Opay without BVN:

Pros:

Access basic Opay services – You can still use Opay wallet, pay bills, buy airtime etc.

Quick and easy signup – Opening an account is fast without BVN.

Use Opay while awaiting BVN – Get started while your BVN application is processing.

More privacy – Some users prefer limiting personal information provided.

Cons:

Transaction limits – Sending/receiving limits are lower without BVN.

Some services locked – Can’t access bank transfers, loans, higher transactions etc.

Missing verification – Increased fraud risk without identity verification.

Limited customer service – Some account issues may be harder to resolve.

Require later addition of BVN – Need to still provide BVN for full access.

Alternatives to Opening Opay Without BVN

If you are unable to open an Opay account without BVN, here are a few alternatives:

Obtain your BVN – This unlocks full use of Opay services. Visit a bank branch, NIBSS office or BVN enrolment centre.

Use other limited KYC services – Some options like Quickteller and Stampede still allow limited use without BVN.

Switch to crypto – Decentralized crypto apps may offer similar services without requiring ID verification like BVN.

Wait until you have BVN – If you are expecting to get BVN soon, wait before opening an Opay account.

Use friend/family account – You can pay someone you trust to send/receive money on your behalf.

Consider alternate payments – Make payments using bank transfers, cash, gift cards etc. instead of Opay.

While you can open an Opay account without BVN, it limits some services. The best option is being patient and waiting until you obtain your unique BVN before signing up with financial services.

FAQs on Opay Without BVN

Is it legal to use Opay without BVN?

Yes, it is legal to use Opay services without BVN in 2024. However, your transaction limits will be lower for anti-fraud reasons until you provide your BVN.

What information do I need to provide if no BVN?

You need to provide your full name, phone number, email, password, profile picture and proof of ID document. Opay uses this info for limited KYC.

Can I withdraw money from Opay without BVN?

Yes, but maximum daily withdrawal limit without BVN is ₦20,000 vs ₦100,000 with BVN. You can withdraw at agent locations.

Can I fully use my Opay account without BVN?

No, many key services like bank transfers, higher transactions, loans etc. require BVN. Your access will be limited until you provide your BVN.

Is there a time limit to use Opay without BVN?

There’s no specific deadline, but Opay will keep requesting you to provide BVN for full access. It’s best to add it as soon as possible.

Conclusion

While Opay usually requires BVN for account opening, there are still ways to use the platform without BVN in 2024. Simply follow the steps above to sign up without BVN and fund your wallet to activate the account. However, you’ll have limited access to certain services until your BVN is added. For full user experience, I recommend obtaining your unique BVN as soon as possible and then opening your Opay account.