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The short answer
Being named next of kin does not entitle you to a dead relative's bank money in Nigeria. Once the bank is told of the death it stops withdrawals, and it releases the balance only to the people a court has authorised: executors holding a grant of probate where there is a will, or administrators holding letters of administration where there is not. The bank then pays them on presentation of the grant, the death certificate and their IDs.
Next of kin is not the same as heir
The most common misunderstanding in Nigerian banking halls is about next of kin. The next of kin on an account form is a contact: the person the bank may reach in an emergency. It is not a beneficiary designation. Daily Trust's December 2023 explainer makes the point plainly: next of kin is not automatically entitled to inherit, and a tier-one banker it spoke to said no Nigerian framework recognises a "payable on death" instruction on an ordinary account. The estate must obtain probate (where there is a will) or letters of administration (where there is not) before funds are released.
For a fuller comparison, see next of kin vs beneficiary.
What happens when the bank learns of the death
TEMPLARS' November 2025 review lists notice of the account holder's death among the lawful grounds on which a bank stops withdrawals. From that point, cards, the app, USSD and cheques stop working. Money can still come in, for example a final salary or pension, but nothing goes out without the court's authority.
Banks also flag deceased customers in the BVN system. Nairametrics, citing the CBN's 2025 Annual Report, reported in July 2026 that the deceased-person category of the watch-list rose from 21,118 to 28,754 BVNs during 2025. That is why using a dead relative's card or app "to settle burial costs" fails quickly, and why it is unwise: it can expose the family to a fraud complaint.
The probate steps where there is a will
A will names executors. They apply to the Probate Registry of the High Court in the state where the deceased lived for a grant of probate, which confirms the will is valid and gives them authority to deal with the estate. Procedures and fees differ by state, so check with the registry. In outline:
- Locate the will. It may be with a lawyer, at the Probate Registry (if deposited) or among personal papers.
- Reading of the will. In many states the registry arranges a formal reading for the family.
- Collect the asset list. For bank accounts, the registry usually wants evidence of each account and its balance at the date of death. Executors ask each bank for this.
- File the application with the death certificate, the original will, the asset list and the fees.
- Grant of probate issues once the registry is satisfied.
Where there is no will, or the will names no executor who can act, the route is letters of administration instead. Our separate guide on deceased accounts with no will sets out that process.
What the bank needs to release the money
Each bank has its own deceased estate desk and forms, so call ahead. The documents most commonly requested are:
| Document | Why the bank wants it |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Proof of death; the starting point for everything |
| Grant of probate or letters of administration (certified copy) | The court's authority for the named people to act |
| Valid ID of each executor or administrator | To identify the people collecting |
| Letter of instruction signed by all executors or administrators | To tell the bank where to pay the money |
| Details of an estate account or each beneficiary's account | The destination for the funds |
Union Bank's complaints page notes that third parties raising matters about someone else's account need written authorisation, and gives estate trustees for a deceased customer as an example. Expect the same at other banks.
Worked example
Example only: Mr Okafor dies leaving ₦4,200,000 across two banks: ₦3,000,000 at Bank A and ₦1,200,000 at Bank B. His will names his wife and brother as executors. They obtain a bank letter from each confirming the balance at the date of death, file for probate, and after the grant ask both banks to pay the ₦4,200,000 into an estate account. They then distribute it as the will directs, after paying any debts and estate costs.
Other places money may be held
- Fintech wallets and savings apps. These have their own deceased-customer processes; ask each provider's support team what it needs.
- Failed banks. If the bank has closed, the NDIC claims page has a category for deceased depositors.
- Dormant balances. Long-forgotten accounts may have been transferred to the CBN after 10 years of inactivity and can be reclaimed; see dormant accounts.
Where Pryme fits
Families often struggle to find every account. Keeping a simple list of your accounts and where your documents are, and telling your executors where it is, saves them months. If you hold a Pryme account, Naira deposits are held by Solid Allianze Microfinance Bank; executors can start by writing through the contact page.
Questions people ask
Can next of kin withdraw money from a dead person's account in Nigeria?
No. Next of kin is a contact, not an heir. Banks release a deceased customer's money only to executors with a grant of probate or administrators with letters of administration.
What documents does a bank need to release a deceased account?
Usually the death certificate, a certified copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration, IDs of the executors or administrators, and a signed letter of instruction with the account to pay into.
How long does probate take in Nigeria?
It varies by state and by how complete the paperwork is. The Probate Registry of the relevant state High Court can tell you current processing times and fees.
Can I use my late father's ATM card to pay for the burial?
You should not. Banks stop withdrawals once notified of a death and flag deceased BVNs, and using the card can lead to a fraud complaint against the family. Ask the bank and the probate registry about lawful routes.
Sources
- Daily Trust: Why next of kin cannot access a deceased's inheritance (10 Dec 2023) · accessed Oct 2026
- TEMPLARS ThoughtLab: Freezing Bank Accounts in Nigeria (19 Nov 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- Nairametrics: Fraud watchlist expands by 38% as banks flag 13,117 BVNs in 2025 (30 Jul 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Union Bank: How can we help you? (complaints and contacts) · accessed Oct 2026
- NDIC: Your claims · 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.