If we are to be honest, Nigeria doesn’t have a reliable internet connection at all. Whether you’re deep in a rural community, battling spotty mobile data in the city, or simply trying to conserve battery, USSD codes remain one of the most underrated tools for financial and mobile transactions. Yet, numerous people are still unsure of how to fully utilize them.
I’ve seen it firsthand, people queuing at ATMs or walking long distances just to perform a transaction they could’ve completed from a simple feature phone using USSD. In a country where nearly 38% of the population remains offline, USSD is more than convenience. It’s a lifeline.
So, how can we get more people to use it like pros?
Let’s begin with what it is. The acronym USSD represents Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. A series of numerical values that can be dialed, frequently starting with a * and ending with a # to initiate synchronous communication with your mobile network or bank.
USSD doesn’t use the internet, unlike apps. The most basic mobile devices are compatible with it, as it is universally compatible.
USSD has undergone evolution by 2025. Account balances and airtime recharges are not the only things it can be used for. You can pay bills, send money, open bank accounts, and even access micro-loans all from your keypad.
If you’re on MTN, for example, dialling *904# opens up a world of options. You can buy airtime, transfer funds, or even subscribe to data bundles without needing MyMTN or any app. Airtel offers *444#, a similarly powerful USSD platform, for a wide range of services.
What about fintech platforms like Opay and Moniepoint, which have grown massively across Nigeria’s informal economy? Many people don’t realize they support USSD too.
*955# is Opay’s go-to code, offering money transfers, withdrawals, and balance inquiries. Moniepoint, which is more like an agent, has recently enhanced its USSD services for merchants in remote areas. These tools aren’t just for emergencies, as they are a part of an expanding movement to make finances more accessible, particularly in areas where mobile phones are not widely used.
The big player banks like GTBank (*737#), UBA (*919#), Access (*901#), and FirstBank (*894#), have developed robust systems that facilitate banking convenience. It allows you to send money, check your balance, generate account statements or pay for DSTV without opening an app. If your number has been registered with the bank, so you’re good to go.
However, the issue is that there is little use of the technology. Education and awareness are still lacking, particularly in urban regions. USSD isn’t flashy. No celebrity endorsements or TikToks are used to promote it. Yet, it provides solutions to actual problems for millions.
In my opinion, USSD codes should be treated as indispensable resources, not just for backup purposes. USSD should be given equal importance to startups as mobile apps in the growth of fintech. In my view, the next wave of financial inclusion in Africa will not be achieved through more downloads, but rather through better utilization of offline systems like USSD.
More people need to be take it seriously for security reasons. Your USSD account is linked to encrypted transactions. The use of two-factor PINs is arguably more secure than the commonplace banking that uses public Wi-Fi. But again, education is key. It is necessary to educate people on not sharing PINs, logging out when asked, and tracking SMS alerts.
There’s also a business opportunity here. Small businesses situated in Ikorodu, Ilorin, or Onitsha can use USSD to accept payments or confirm transfers without delay. There’s no need to ask someone if they have sent or refresh your balance in a low-powered network setting. Just dial and confirm.
I believe that USSD serves as a link between Nigeria’s cash-heavy past and its digital future. It is speedy, readily available and already embedded in most of the systems we use every day. With the emergence of new technologies in banking and fintech, I hope that USSD doesn’t get pushed to the background in favor of shiny apps. To serve everyone, we need to merge our two most important assets, smartphones and smart codes.
If you haven’t mastered USSD in 2025, now’s the time. Your bank, your telco, and your wallet will thank you.
