OPay is one of Nigeria's largest mobile-money platforms, used by millions for transfers, airtime, bill payments, POS withdrawals and savings. This 2026 guide covers what OPay is and whether it's safe, how to open an account, the full *955# USSD code list, transfer and POS charges (including the new ₦50 stamp duty), the SafeBox savings feature, and the official OPay customer care numbers.
What is OPay and is it safe?
OPay is a digital financial-services platform licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. It is registered and operates as a microfinance bank, and in January 2026 its national operating licence was upgraded. Customer deposits are NDIC-insured within the applicable microfinance-bank coverage limits, which means your money is protected up to the regulator's stated limit. In short, OPay is a CBN-regulated, NDIC-covered institution — not an unlicensed app — which is the main reason it has become a default wallet for everyday payments across Nigeria.
How to open an OPay account
You can open an OPay account in minutes:
- Via the app: download the OPay app, enter your phone number, create a 6-digit PIN, and verify with the OTP sent to your line. Upgrade your account limits later by adding your BVN and a valid ID.
- Via USSD: dial *955#, choose the option to create an account, enter your first and last name, create a 6-digit PIN, and verify with the OTP.
The USSD route is useful if you don't have a smartphone or data — the account works the same for transfers and payments.
OPay USSD code: *955# functions
The official OPay USSD code is *955#, and it works without an internet connection — handy when you have no data or a weak signal. The key shortcuts are:
| Action | USSD code |
|---|---|
| Check balance | *955*0# |
| Transfer to an OPay account | *955*1*Amount*AccountNumber# |
| Transfer to another bank | *955*2*Amount*AccountNumber# |
| Buy airtime (self) | *955*3*Amount# |
| Buy airtime (other number) | *955*3*Amount*PhoneNumber# |
| Buy data | *955*4*PhoneNumber# |
| Pay electricity bills | *955*6# |
Dialing *955# on its own opens the full menu if you prefer to navigate step by step rather than memorise the shortcuts.
OPay transfer charges and the ₦50 stamp duty
OPay built its reputation on cheap or free transfers, and OPay-to-OPay transfers have historically been free or very low-cost. The big change in 2026 is a government levy, not an OPay fee: under the 2025 Nigeria Tax Act, effective 1 January 2026, every transfer of ₦10,000 and above attracts a ₦50 stamp duty paid to the government. This applies across banks and wallets, not just OPay. To help users avoid the levy on borderline amounts, OPay introduced a ₦9,999 transfer button that keeps a payment just under the ₦10,000 threshold. The stamp duty is a statutory charge, so no platform can waive it — but splitting or capping payments below ₦10,000 legally avoids it.
OPay POS withdrawal charges
For cash withdrawals at an OPay POS agent, the merchant fees are:
- 0.5% of the amount for withdrawals below ₦20,000;
- a flat ₦100 for withdrawals above ₦20,000.
These are merchant-side rates; what an individual agent charges you at the counter can vary slightly, so confirm before withdrawing. For most small cash-outs, OPay's POS network remains one of the cheapest and most widely available options across Nigeria.
Saving with SafeBox
OPay's main savings feature is SafeBox, a behavioural savings product inside the app that locks your funds for a set period with limited withdrawal access, helping you avoid impulse spending. SafeBox earns monthly interest — a modest return on money you set aside. OPay does not publish a single fixed rate that stays constant, so check the current rate shown in the app before locking funds. SafeBox suits short-term goals where you want your savings slightly out of reach but still accessible at the end of the term.
OPay customer care numbers
If you need help — a failed transfer, a debit that didn't reflect, or PIN issues — use OPay's official channels only (never share your PIN or OTP with anyone claiming to be support):
- Phone: 0700 702 2662 (available 24/7), or 0700 8888328 / 020 18888 328;
- WhatsApp: 0809 100 2000 or +234 916 599 8936;
- Email: support@opay.com.ng.
For a failed transfer where you were debited, report it through the app's transaction history (raise a complaint on the specific transaction) as well as calling support — most reversals are automatic within 24 hours.
Common OPay questions and fixes
A few situations come up often. If you forget your PIN, reset it in the app via the login screen using your registered phone number and OTP, or through customer care. If a transfer fails but you were debited, the amount is usually reversed automatically within 24 hours; keep the transaction reference and contact support if it doesn't. If your account limits are low, complete BVN and ID verification to upgrade. And always confirm you're using the genuine OPay app and the official *955# code — fraudsters often impersonate wallets through fake numbers and links.
Is OPay worth using in 2026?
For everyday payments, OPay remains one of the most practical wallets in Nigeria: it's CBN-licensed and NDIC-covered, transfers are cheap, the *955# code works offline, and its POS network is everywhere. The main cost to watch in 2026 is the statutory ₦50 stamp duty on transfers of ₦10,000 and above — a government levy that applies everywhere, not an OPay charge. Use SafeBox for short-term savings, keep your PIN private, and rely on the official customer-care numbers above, and OPay is a safe, low-cost hub for sending money, paying bills and withdrawing cash.