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The short answer
To reactivate a dormant Stanbic IBTC account, visit a branch with a valid ID and a recent utility bill, complete the bank's reactivation request and make a customer-initiated transaction once it is active. The CBN Guide to Charges (2020) lists dormant account reactivation as free, so you should not pay a fee to reactivate.
A bank account becomes dormant when the customer has not made any transaction they started themselves for a long period. Incoming credits from others, interest and bank charges do not usually count. Once dormant, the account stops allowing withdrawals and transfers until you prove you are still the owner. This guide explains the process at Stanbic IBTC and what to do if the money has been moved on.
Why accounts go dormant
Banks classify inactive accounts under CBN rules, and the CBN requires banks to publish dormant accounts and, after a longer period, to transfer unclaimed balances to a CBN-managed trust fund. Access Bank's dormant accounts page, for example, says it publishes these accounts as required by the CBN and lists quarterly remittances. Stanbic IBTC did not state its dormancy period on the pages we checked in October 2026; ask the contact centre how long your account was inactive and its status.
Common reasons people find their account dormant:
- Salary moved to another bank.
- A savings account opened for a purpose and then forgotten.
- A domiciliary account used only occasionally.
- Living abroad for a few years.
What to bring
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid ID | International passport, driver's licence, voter's card or NIN card |
| Proof of address | Stanbic IBTC's account update FAQ asks for a utility bill not more than three months old for address changes; bring one |
| Account details | Account number, or the name and branch where it was opened |
| BVN and NIN | So the bank can confirm the account matches your identity record |
| Phone number | If yours has changed, update it at the same visit; the FAQ says you need a valid ID and a valid mobile number |
Steps
- Call Stanbic IBTC on 0201 2709 676 or 0201 4222 222 to confirm the account is dormant and ask what the branch will need.
- Visit a branch with your ID, utility bill and account details. Ask for the reactivation request form.
- Sign the form; the bank may take a fresh signature and photo and update your KYC.
- Ask how long reactivation will take and how you will be told it is done.
- Once active, make a small transaction yourself, such as a transfer or withdrawal, to show activity.
If the balance has gone to the CBN
Very old dormant balances can be moved to the CBN's unclaimed balances arrangement. The money is still yours, but reclaiming it takes longer. Access Bank's published reclaim process, for example, involves a reclaim form, proof of ownership such as old statements, ID, BVN and a passport photo, after which the bank forwards the claim for CBN approval. Stanbic IBTC did not publish its own reclaim steps on the pages we checked; ask the branch.
Domiciliary and joint accounts
A dormant domiciliary account follows the same process, but take extra care to update your phone and email so alerts on foreign currency credits reach you. For a joint account, the bank will usually want every account holder to sign the reactivation request or provide ID, according to the mandate on the account. For an account held for a child, the parent or guardian on the mandate makes the request with their own ID and the child's documents. If an account holder has died, reactivation is not the route; the family deals with the bank through the estate process, which needs letters of administration or probate.
If you live abroad
- Call +234 700 909 9099 and ask whether reactivation can be done by email or through a representative with a power of attorney.
- Keep certified copies of your passport and proof of your foreign address ready.
- Update your phone number so you receive alerts and one-time passwords abroad.
Our guide to managing Nigerian accounts after moving abroad covers this in more depth.
Expect the branch to ask questions if large sums have arrived in the account while it was dormant, or if you want to withdraw everything at once. Bring any documents that explain the money, such as old salary slips or the source of a transfer, so the reactivation is not held up by checks.
Keeping the account active
- Make at least one transaction yourself every few months, such as buying airtime with *909# or a small transfer.
- Set a standing order between your own accounts.
- Close accounts you no longer need; the CBN guide lists account closure as free.
Where Pryme fits
If you keep several accounts for different purposes, Pryme Savings Boxes let you set money aside inside one account in Naira, so savings for different goals do not sit in separate accounts that can go quiet.
Questions people ask
How do I reactivate my dormant Stanbic IBTC account?
Go to a branch with a valid ID, a utility bill no older than three months and your account details, complete the reactivation request and then make a transaction yourself.
How much does it cost to reactivate a Stanbic account?
It should be free. The CBN Guide to Charges (2020) lists dormant account reactivation as waived.
How long before a Stanbic account becomes dormant?
Stanbic IBTC did not publish its dormancy period on the pages we checked in October 2026. Call 0201 2709 676 or 0201 4222 222 to ask.
Can I reactivate my Stanbic account online?
The bank did not describe an online reactivation route on its FAQ pages. Ask the contact centre, especially if you live abroad.
Sources
- Stanbic IBTC: Frequently Asked Questions - Account Update · accessed Oct 2026
- CBN: Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (effective 1 Jan 2020) · accessed Oct 2026
- Stanbic IBTC: General FAQs (contact details) · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank: Dormant Accounts (CBN publication requirement and remittances) · 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.