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The short answer
A UBA account becomes inactive and then dormant when you stop making customer-initiated transactions for a long period; UBA does not publish its exact dormancy period on the pages we checked. To reactivate, visit a UBA branch with a valid ID and recent proof of address, complete a reactivation request and make a transaction. The CBN's Guide to Charges lists dormant account reactivation as free, and accounts dormant for 10 years or more are transferred to the CBN, from which balances can still be reclaimed.
What dormant means
Banks classify accounts by activity. After a period with no customer-initiated transactions (transfers, withdrawals, deposits you make yourself), an account is flagged inactive; after a longer period it becomes dormant, and debits are blocked until you prove you are still the owner. Credits such as interest or bank charges do not count as activity. The aim is to protect forgotten accounts from fraud.
UBA's own dormancy period is not stated on any UBA page we could open in October 2026. For comparison, GTBank's page states inactive after 6 months and dormant after 1 year, but banks set their own periods, so ask UBA what applies to your account type.
The 10-year rule
Under CBN guidelines on dormant accounts and unclaimed balances, issued on 19 July 2024 according to GTBank's published summary, balances in accounts inactive for 10 years or more are transferred out of the bank to a CBN-managed unclaimed balances fund. The money is not lost: banks publish the names, and owners can reclaim through their bank.
How to reactivate at UBA
- Call or email first. Contact UBA on 0700 2255 822 or cfc@ubagroup.com to confirm the account status and whether it is dormant or simply inactive. An inactive account may reactivate with a simple transaction.
- Gather your documents: a valid ID (national ID, international passport, driver's licence or voter's card), proof of address such as a utility bill from the last three months, your BVN and NIN, and your account number if you have it.
- Go to any UBA branch and ask for dormant account reactivation. You will complete a request form and the branch will verify your identity.
- Update your KYC. Expect to confirm your phone number, address and NIN; old accounts often lack NIN, which must now be on record.
- Make a transaction once the restriction is lifted, such as a small deposit or transfer, to show activity.
Business and joint accounts
Company accounts usually need a letter or board resolution signed by the authorised signatories, plus ID for each signatory. Joint accounts need all parties named on the mandate, or the mandate's required signatories, to sign. Confirm with the branch before you go.
Is there a fee?
The CBN's Guide to Charges (effective 1 January 2020) lists reactivation of dormant accounts as waived, meaning banks should not charge for it. UBA's September 2026 Service Charges and Rates does not list a reactivation fee. If a branch asks you to pay for reactivation itself, ask which tariff line applies. You may still pay ordinary charges such as a new card if your old card has expired.
If your money has gone to the CBN
If the account was inactive for 10 years or more, the branch may tell you the balance has been remitted. The reclaim route, as described by other Nigerian banks' published guidance under the CBN framework, works through your bank:
- check the published dormant account lists on the bank's site, the CBN's site or newspapers;
- complete an Asset Reclaim Form at a branch;
- provide evidence of ownership (old statements, cheque books, alerts, a reference letter), a valid ID, evidence of current residence and an affidavit where originals are missing;
- the bank verifies and forwards the claim to the CBN for approval and refund.
Why accounts go quiet, and how to prevent it
The usual stories are familiar: a student account left behind after university, a salary account abandoned after a job change, an account opened for a single purpose and forgotten, or a holder who moved abroad. Each one ends with a branch visit years later. A few habits avoid it:
- Make at least one transaction you initiate yourself every few months on accounts you want to keep, even a small transfer.
- Close accounts you no longer need instead of leaving them idle; see how to close a UBA account.
- Keep your phone number and email current so UBA can warn you before the account is flagged.
- Tell a trusted family member which banks you use, so balances are not lost if something happens to you.
Inactive versus dormant: why the difference matters
Many banks treat the two stages differently. An inactive account can often be woken by an ordinary transaction you make, while a dormant one usually needs identity checks and a formal request. If you are not sure which stage your UBA account has reached, ask the contact centre before you travel to a branch; you may only need to make a transfer. If a deposit to the account bounces or a card is declined, assume the account is at least restricted and call first.
If you hold an old UBA account abroad and cannot visit a branch, email cfc@ubagroup.com from the address on record, explain where you are, and ask what UBA will accept remotely. Keep every reply.
Where Pryme fits
Accounts often go dormant because people move abroad. Pryme accounts can be opened from any country, and a Personal Assistant can remind you of payments that keep money moving. Read what to do with Nigerian accounts when you move abroad.
Questions people ask
How long before a UBA account becomes dormant?
UBA does not publish the period on the pages we checked in October 2026. Ask UBA directly. Under CBN guidelines, balances inactive for 10 years or more are transferred to a CBN unclaimed balances fund.
What do I need to reactivate my UBA account?
A valid ID, recent proof of address, your BVN and NIN, and a reactivation request at a UBA branch. Business accounts need a signed letter or board resolution.
Does UBA charge to reactivate a dormant account?
The CBN Guide to Charges lists dormant reactivation as waived, and UBA's 2026 tariff does not list a reactivation fee.
Can I reactivate a dormant UBA account online?
UBA's pages do not describe an online route. Contact 0700 2255 822 or cfc@ubagroup.com first to check the status; an inactive account may reactivate with a transaction, but a dormant one usually needs a branch visit.
Sources
- Central Bank of Nigeria: Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (effective 1 January 2020) · accessed Oct 2026
- GTBank: Guidelines for managing dormant accounts, unclaimed balances and other financial assets · accessed Oct 2026
- UBA: Service Charges and Rates (PDF, September 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- UBA Nigeria: Contact us · 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.