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The short answer
Access Bank uses a secure token to authorise transfers on internet banking; its domiciliary account FAQ says customers can apply for one and that transfers to Access and other Nigerian banks are made through internet banking with a secure token device. Request it at a branch or through the contact centre, and ask for the current fee and the option of app-based codes, which Access Bank does not price on the pages we checked.
A token is a second check that proves it is really you approving a payment. Your password gets you into internet banking; the token's one-time code lets money move. Access Bank customers most often meet the token when they first try to transfer on the web, or when they need to send money from a domiciliary account, where the bank's own FAQ says transfers go through internet banking with a secure token device.
Hardware token, app codes and SMS codes
| Type | How it works | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware token | A small device that shows a new code when you press its button | Losing it, or a flat battery |
| App-based (soft) token | A code generated inside the bank's app on your registered phone | Losing the phone or changing it without moving the token |
| SMS code (OTP) | A code sent by text to your registered number | SIM swap, network delays, an old number on the account |
Access Bank's pages we checked confirm the secure token for internet banking but do not set out which of these options are available to each customer, or their fees. Ask the bank which one applies to your account. Our guide to authenticator apps versus SMS codes explains why codes generated on a device are generally harder to intercept than codes sent by text.
How to request an Access Bank token
- Make sure you are enrolled for internet banking and can log in.
- Contact Access Bank: visit a branch with a valid ID, or call the contact centre or email contactcenter@accessbankplc.com to ask how to apply.
- Ask whether a hardware token or an app-based option suits your account, and what each costs.
- Ask how the fee will be charged, and get the amount before you agree.
- Once issued, follow the bank's steps to link the token to your internet banking profile.
- Test it with a small transfer to a beneficiary you know.
Access Bank's contact lines as it prints them are in Access Bank customer care contacts.
Using the token safely
- Generate a code only when you are on the payment screen and about to approve a transaction you started.
- Check the beneficiary name and amount before entering the code.
- Do not keep the token with a note of your password, and do not store the password on the same device as an app-based token.
- Log out of internet banking when you finish, especially on a shared computer.
Lost, locked or not working
Lost or stolen
Tell Access Bank at once so the token can be disabled, then request a replacement. Ask whether a replacement fee applies.
Codes rejected
Codes from a hardware token expire after a short time, and some devices fall out of step with the bank's system after long periods without use. If several codes in a row are rejected, stop trying, because repeated failures can lock the token, and contact the bank to resync or reset it.
Flat battery or damaged device
Hardware tokens cannot be recharged. Request a replacement and ask whether the old device should be returned.
New phone
If you use an app-based code, ask the bank how to move it before you wipe or hand in your old phone. If you also need to change your phone number, see changing your phone number on Access Bank. If one-time codes by SMS are not arriving, see Access Bank OTP not coming.
Tokens for business accounts
On a business account with more than one signatory, the token question becomes a control question. Ask Access Bank how its internet banking handles roles: whether one person can initiate a payment and another approve it with their own token, and whether each signatory needs a device of their own. Set it up so that no single person can create and release a large payment alone, and keep a register of which staff member holds which token. When someone leaves the business, ask the bank to disable their token the same day rather than collecting the device and assuming that is enough. Review the list of active tokens on the account at least once a year.
Do you need a token at all?
If you only make small everyday transfers, the AccessMore app or the *901# USSD service may cover what you need with a PIN, within the limits set for those channels; see Access Bank transfer limits by channel. Businesses and customers sending larger sums on the web, or moving money from a domiciliary account, are the ones most likely to need a token.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme does not use SMS codes. Accounts are protected with an authenticator app and a transaction PIN, so codes are generated on your own device. See how Pryme security works.
Questions people ask
How do I get an Access Bank token?
Request it at a branch with a valid ID, or call the contact centre or email contactcenter@accessbankplc.com to ask how to apply. Ask for the current fee before you agree.
How much is the Access Bank token?
The fee is not published on the Access Bank pages we checked. Ask the bank, and ask whether an app-based option is available instead.
Do I need a token for Access Bank domiciliary transfers?
Access Bank's domiciliary FAQ says transfers to Access and other Nigerian banks are made through internet banking with a secure token device.
What do I do if my Access Bank token is not working?
Stop entering codes after a few failures and contact the bank to resync, reset or replace it. Report a lost token immediately so it can be disabled.
Sources
- Access Bank: Domiciliary Account FAQs · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank: Agency Banking (Access Closa) · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank: Salary Advance FAQs (PDF) · 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.