AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
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The short answer
You get an NHF number by registering with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), which runs the National Housing Fund. Employees register through their employer, which first registers as an employer with FMBN and gets an employer number; self-employed people can register directly. Contributors pay 2.5% of basic monthly salary, and the number is what you quote for refunds and NHF mortgage applications.
What the NHF is
The National Housing Fund was set up by the NHF Act 1992. Workers in paid employment contribute 2.5% of their basic monthly salary, and self-employed people may contribute 2.5% of their income, through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, according to a LawCare Nigeria overview of the Act (October 2024). The money funds mortgage lending, and contributions are refunded with 2% interest on retirement. The same overview gives a minimum contributor age of 21.
The point of the NHF number for most people is access to NHF loans. LawCare reports NHF mortgages at a fixed 6% a year, and FMBN said on 8 August 2026 that a Diaspora Mortgage Loan of up to ₦100 million at 9% a year, subject to affordability and requirements, is open to Nigerians abroad. You need to be a registered contributor to apply.
Who has to register
The NHF Act makes contribution compulsory for Nigerians in paid employment, so registration is the employer's job as much as yours. Self-employed people, traders and professionals are not forced in the same way but may register to qualify for NHF loans. If you work for a company that has never registered with FMBN, raise it with HR: penalties under the Act fall on employers, and an unregistered employer means you have no contribution history when you later apply for a loan. Contributions also form a long-term saving that is returned with interest on retirement, though at 2% the return is modest against inflation.
Numbers you will see
- Employer registration number
- Issued to the employer after it registers with FMBN using Form NHF1.
- NHF / participation number
- Issued to each contributor (employee or self-employed) after registration using Form NHF2. It is a lifetime number.
- Passbook or statement
- Records monthly contributions posted against your number.
Steps for employers
- Get the employer registration form (Form NHF1) from an FMBN branch.
- Complete and return it to the nearest FMBN branch.
- Receive the employer registration number.
- Collect Form NHF2 for each employee, have staff complete it and forward the forms to FMBN.
- Deduct 2.5% of each employee's basic salary monthly and remit to FMBN with a schedule showing each employee's amount and period.
LawCare cites section 20 of the Act: an employer that fails to deduct or remit faces a fine of ₦50,000, with responsible staff liable to a ₦20,000 fine, imprisonment, or both. For how NHF sits beside other payroll levies, see NHF, NSITF and ITF explained.
Steps for employees and the self-employed
- Employee: ask your HR or payroll team whether the company is registered with FMBN and request Form NHF2. Once FMBN processes it, your NHF number is issued and payroll should show the NHF deduction.
- Self-employed: collect Form NHF2 directly from an FMBN branch, register, and remit your contributions monthly; FMBN issues receipts.
- Abroad: FMBN said in August 2026 that diaspora contributors can complete KYC digitally and contribute remotely; check the FMBN website for the current process.
Worked example
Example only. Bola's basic salary is ₦250,000 a month. Her NHF deduction is 2.5% of that: ₦6,250 a month, or ₦75,000 a year. Note that it is calculated on basic salary, not on gross pay including allowances.
Refunds and loans
Contributions are refunded with 2% interest on retirement, according to LawCare. Refunds are claimed through FMBN, usually with the employer's support and your passbook or statement; ask your branch for the current refund form and documents. For loans, you generally need to have contributed for a minimum period before applying, and the loan terms depend on the product. Ask FMBN for the current conditions before you commit to a property.
Common problems
- Deductions but no record: the employer deducted but did not remit. Ask HR for remittance evidence and raise it with FMBN.
- Two numbers: registering again with a new employer can create a duplicate. Give your existing number instead.
- Name differences: a different spelling from your NIN slows refunds and loans. Correct it early.
- Lost passbook: ask your FMBN branch for a replacement or a statement.
What to check first
- Is NHF already being deducted on your payslip? If so, ask HR for your NHF number rather than registering again.
- Do your name and date of birth match your NIN and BVN?
- Are remittances reaching FMBN? Ask for your statement; deductions that are never remitted are a common problem.
- If you have changed jobs, give the new employer your existing number.
Where Pryme fits
Employers running payroll on Pryme can keep NHF deductions alongside pension, and the Finance agent prepares remittance schedules for a person to approve. See also pension contribution rates.
Questions people ask
How do I get my NHF number?
Register with FMBN using Form NHF2, through your employer if you are employed or directly at a branch if self-employed. FMBN issues a lifetime NHF number.
How do I check my NHF number online?
Ask your employer's payroll team, check old payslips or your NHF statement, or contact an FMBN branch with your details. Check the FMBN website for any current online service.
How much is NHF deduction in Nigeria?
2.5% of basic monthly salary, under the NHF Act 1992.
Can I register for NHF as a self-employed person?
Yes. Self-employed people can register directly with FMBN and remit 2.5% of income monthly.
Sources
- LawCare Nigeria: overview of the National Housing Fund scheme (17 Oct 2024) · accessed Oct 2026
- FMBN: FMBN opens secure pathway for Nigerians abroad to own homes (8 Aug 2026) · 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.