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The short answer
To set an Access Bank *901# PIN for the first time, dial *901# from your linked number, choose any service, enter your account number and date of birth (DDMMYYYY) and create a four-digit PIN. To reset it, dial *901# and choose 4 (Other Services) then 5 (Reset PIN), or dial *901*0#, then enter your date of birth and a new PIN; Access Bank says resets only work from the linked number.
What the *901# PIN is
Access Bank's *901# service uses a four-digit PIN, which the bank's *901# page calls a security code. You enter it to confirm transfers, airtime purchases and balance checks. It is separate from your card PIN and from your AccessMore app login, even if you choose the same digits, which is not a good idea.
First-time setup
Access Bank's USSD FAQ, as at October 2026, gives two ways to set up the PIN. Both must be done from the phone number linked to your account.
Route 1: start any service
- Dial *901# from your linked line.
- Choose any service, for example a transfer.
- Enter your Access Bank account number.
- Enter your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format, for example 07041990 for 7 April 1990.
- Create a four-digit PIN and confirm it.
Route 2: the direct string
- Dial *901*0#.
- Enter your date of birth (DDMMYYYY).
- Create and confirm your PIN.
The FAQ notes that a smartphone is not needed; any phone that can dial USSD works.
Does setup need your card?
Many people search for the card-digit method, because some banks ask for the last digits of your debit card during USSD setup. Access Bank's current FAQ does not mention card digits. The verification step it describes is your date of birth, checked against the bank's records. That is useful if you have no card: the FAQ's method does not require one. If the menu on your phone asks for card details, follow the prompts, but be wary of any screen that asks for your full card number together with your card PIN, which a genuine bank menu should not need.
Resetting a forgotten PIN
The FAQ lists two reset routes, again only from the linked line.
| Route | Steps |
|---|---|
| From the menu | Dial *901#, choose 4 (Other Services), then 5 (Reset PIN), enter your date of birth, create a new PIN |
| Direct string | Dial *901*0#, enter your date of birth, create a new PIN |
If you no longer have the linked line
Because resets only work from the linked number, losing that line means you cannot reset the PIN by USSD. The order of steps matters.
- If the phone or SIM was lost or stolen, block first. The FAQ says you can call 07003000000 from any phone, or dial *901*911# and choose Block Account; the third-party option asks for the linked number and the USSD PIN.
- Retrieve the old number from your network if you can (SIM replacement), since that keeps everything else linked to it.
- If not, update the phone number on your account. Access Bank's Account Management Request Form includes a phone number update, which asks for the new number and a valid ID. See our guide on changing your number.
- Ask the bank to unblock the account if you blocked it, then set a fresh PIN from the new line.
Our safety guide on what to do when your phone is stolen covers the other apps and accounts to secure at the same time.
Common errors during setup or reset
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth not accepted | Wrong format, or the date on your account record is wrong | Use DDMMYYYY with no spaces; if it still fails, correct the record at a branch with an ID |
| Request not recognised | Dialling from a line not linked to the account | Dial from the linked SIM or update your number |
| Session ends before you finish | Network timeout | Dial again and move through the screens promptly |
| Told the profile is blocked | The account or USSD profile was blocked or opted out | Ask the bank to unblock via contactcenter@accessbankplc.com, 07003000000, website self-service or a branch |
If none of these fit, our guide to *901# not working works through the remaining causes, including dormant and restricted accounts, which stop transactions even when the PIN is correct.
Choosing a PIN that protects you
- Avoid your birth year, 1234, 0000 or repeated digits.
- Do not reuse your card PIN; if one leaks, the other stays safe.
- Never share it. Access Bank's pages say its staff will never ask for your PIN.
- Change it if you entered it where someone could see.
Once the PIN works, our guides to transfers and balance checks cover the strings that use it.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme does not use SMS codes. Accounts are protected with an authenticator app and a transaction PIN, set and changed in the app; Pryme security explains both.
Questions people ask
How do I create my Access Bank USSD PIN?
From your linked line dial *901# and choose any service, or dial *901*0#, then enter your date of birth (DDMMYYYY) and create a four-digit PIN.
How do I reset my Access Bank *901# PIN without a card?
Access Bank's FAQ reset routes use your date of birth, not card digits: *901# > 4 > 5, or *901*0#, from the linked line.
Can I reset my Access Bank USSD PIN from another number?
No. The bank's FAQ says resets only work from the mobile number linked to your account. Update the number first if you lost the line.
Is the *901# PIN the same as my ATM PIN?
No. They are separate PINs. Using different digits for each is safer.
Sources
- Access Bank: USSD Banking frequently asked questions · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank Nigeria: *901# banking · accessed Oct 2026
- Account Management Request Form (hosted on accessbankplc.com) · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank Nigeria: Our ATM service offerings · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.