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The short answer
To change the phone number on an Access Bank account, complete the Phone Number Update request on the Account Management Request Form hosted on Access Bank's site, giving the new number with a valid ID, and submit it at a branch or as the bank directs. Once the change is made, your alerts go to the new number and you need to set up *901# again from the new line, because Access Bank says *901# PIN resets only work from the linked number.
Why the number matters so much
Your phone number on an Access Bank account is not just a contact detail. It is the line *901# recognises, the number debit and credit alerts go to, and often where one-time codes for card payments and app logins are sent. Access Bank's USSD FAQ says PIN resets only work from the mobile number linked to your account. A wrong or old number therefore locks you out of USSD and can mean you miss fraud alerts.
The official request
Access Bank's Account Management Request Form, a PDF on the bank's website, includes a Phone Number Update request. The form asks for:
- Your personal details in Section A: name, date of birth, account number, current phone number, BVN, country of residence, email and address.
- The new phone number, in the Phone Number Update line of Section B.
- A valid ID.
- Your signature in Section C, certifying the request.
The IDs the form lists for Nigerian residents are a driver's licence, voter's card, NIN slip or the bio-data page of a Nigerian passport. Nigerians abroad can use the passport bio-data page plus a valid visa or notarised residence permit, or a notarised valid foreign passport or driver's licence; foreign nationals use a passport bio-data page with a valid CERPAC. The form itself is not dated and does not show a bank logo in the text we read, so check with the branch that it is the current version.
Branch or app
Many people would like to change their number in the AccessMore app. We did not find an app route for changing the linked phone number on Access Bank's pages that we checked, and because the number is a security control, banks generally want to see you, or a signed request, before they change it. In practice:
| Route | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Branch | Bring the completed form and your ID. This is the route the form is designed for. |
| Access Bank accepts signed instructions by email for some requests, such as unblocking, at contactcenter@accessbankplc.com. Ask the contact centre whether a signed phone update form by email is accepted for your account. | |
| App | If your app shows a profile option to change your number, it may still require verification. Follow it only from the official app. |
Your BVN record holds a phone number too. Changing the number at the bank does not by itself change the number on your BVN; ask the branch whether it can update both, since some services check the BVN number.
After the change: what to redo
- Set up *901# again. From the new line dial *901#, choose a service, enter your account number and date of birth (DDMMYYYY), and create a PIN, or dial *901*0#. Our *901# PIN guide has the details.
- Check alerts. Make a small transfer and confirm the alert arrives on the new number.
- Check app and card codes. Try a login or small online payment to confirm codes reach the new number. Our planned guide to OTP problems helps if they do not.
- Link other accounts. If you have more than one account, for example a personal and a business account, the FAQ says accounts on one number can be linked through a profile merge, at a branch or by email.
Common problems
| Problem | Likely reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Alerts still go to the old number | The update has not been processed yet | Ask the branch for a reference and follow up after a working day |
| *901# says you are not registered on the new line | USSD is tied to the old number until you register again | Dial *901# or *901*0# from the new line and set a PIN |
| Date of birth rejected during *901# setup | The bank's record has a different date | Correct it at the branch with your ID |
| Two accounts but only one moved to the new number | Each account holds its own number | Ask for a profile merge so both use the new line |
If you lost the old line
If you are changing your number because the phone or SIM was lost or stolen, block before you change. Access Bank's FAQ says you can call 07003000000 from any phone, or dial *901*911# and choose Block Account. Then ask your network for a SIM replacement if you can keep the same number, which is often quicker than changing it at the bank. Our guide to protecting your accounts after a phone theft covers the full sequence.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme does not rely on SMS codes for security; it uses an authenticator app and a transaction PIN, which means a stolen SIM alone does not give someone a way in. See how Pryme secures accounts.
Questions people ask
How do I change my phone number on my Access Bank account?
Complete the Phone Number Update request on the bank's Account Management Request Form with your new number and a valid ID, sign it and submit it at a branch or as the bank directs.
Can I change my Access Bank phone number without going to the bank?
We did not find an app route on Access Bank's pages. Ask the contact centre on 07003000000 whether a signed form by email is accepted for your account.
Will my Access Bank USSD work after I change my number?
You need to set up *901# again from the new line; PIN resets only work from the linked number.
Does changing my bank phone number change my BVN number?
Not automatically. Ask the branch whether it can update the BVN record too.
Sources
- Account Management Request Form (hosted on accessbankplc.com) · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank: USSD Banking frequently asked questions · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank Nigeria: *901# banking · 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.