Bet9ja First Bank USSD Code Nigeria 2026 — How to Fund Your Account via *894#

First Bank of Nigeria’s *894# USSD service is one of the longest-running mobile banking USSD channels in the country, and it works reliably for funding your Bet9ja account without internet. If your mobile data is unreliable or you simply prefer USSD banking, this guide covers exactly what you need: the code format, the step-by-step process, First Bank’s daily limits, and targeted fixes for every error that can occur.

First Bank serves one of the largest retail customer bases in Nigeria, making *894# one of the most frequently used USSD channels among Nigerian bettors. However, like all bank USSD services, it is a deposit method only — Bet9ja withdrawals go through bank transfer or OPay/PalmPay. See the Bet9ja withdrawal hub for the full withdrawal guide. For a comparison of all bank USSD codes for Bet9ja, see Bet9ja USSD code for all banks.

The Bet9ja First Bank USSD Code

First Bank’s standard transfer format for Bet9ja deposits is:

`894AMOUNT*Bet9jaAccountNumber#`

To find Bet9ja’s First Bank account number, follow these steps:

• . Log in to your Bet9ja account at bet9ja.com or via the app.
• . Select Deposit → Bank Transfer → First Bank of Nigeria (FBN).
• . Bet9ja will display the 10-digit account number for First Bank transfers.
• . Note this number — you will insert it into the USSD code above.

Importantly, Bet9ja uses a virtual account system, so the account number shown in your deposit section may be unique to your profile. Therefore, never use a Bet9ja account number obtained from a third party — always retrieve it from within your own account.

Step-by-Step — Depositing to Bet9ja via First Bank *894# USSD

• . Have the Bet9ja First Bank account number ready before you dial.
• . Open your phone’s dial pad — no internet connection is required.
• . Dial `894AMOUNTACCOUNTNUMBER#`. For example, to send ₦5,000 to account 3012345678, dial `89450003012345678#`. Press call.
• . First Bank’s system will display the beneficiary name and amount for confirmation.
• . Select 1 to confirm the transaction.
• . Enter your 4-digit First Bank USSD PIN when prompted.
• . You will receive an SMS confirmation from First Bank with the debit amount and a reference number.
• . Return to your Bet9ja account — funds typically reflect within 1–5 minutes.

As a result of how real-time payment settlement works in Nigeria, most deposits appear almost instantly. That said, occasional processing delays during peak hours (particularly lunchtime on weekdays) can push this to 15 minutes. If your balance has not updated after 30 minutes, contact Bet9ja live chat with your First Bank SMS confirmation.

First Bank USSD Daily Transfer Limits

First Bank’s USSD transfer limits depend on your account tier. These are limits imposed by First Bank — not by Bet9ja.

| Account Type | Single Transfer | Daily Cumulative |
|—|—|—|
| Tier 1 (basic — unlinked BVN) | ₦30,000 | ₦50,000 |
| Tier 2 (BVN linked) | ₦100,000 | ₦200,000 |
| Tier 3 (fully verified) | ₦500,000 | ₦1,000,000 |

First Bank’s Tier 1 limit is notably lower than many other Nigerian banks. By contrast, if you upgrade to Tier 2 by linking your BVN, your single transaction limit jumps to ₦100,000. Contact First Bank on 01-905-0000 or visit a branch to upgrade your account tier.

If your deposit requirement exceeds your USSD tier, use the First Bank mobile app (FirstMobile) or internet banking at firstbanknigeria.com, which support higher limits.

Common First Bank USSD Errors on Bet9ja and Fixes

“Insufficient funds” — Check your First Bank balance by dialling `89400#` before retrying. Your account must have enough to cover the transfer plus any applicable bank charges.

“Transaction limit exceeded” — You have reached your First Bank USSD daily or single-transaction limit. Use FirstMobile or internet banking for the transfer, or wait until midnight for the daily limit to reset.

“Invalid account number” — Recheck the Bet9ja First Bank account number from the deposit section. The number is 10 digits — make sure there are no spaces or extra characters in the USSD code you dialled.

First Bank debited but Bet9ja not credited — Allow 30 minutes. If still uncredited, open Bet9ja live chat and provide: your First Bank SMS confirmation (showing the amount, reference, and recipient account). Bet9ja’s team can trace this and manually credit your account. See the full guide at Bet9ja deposit not showing Nigeria.

“Service not available” — First Bank USSD undergoes brief scheduled maintenance, usually between 11pm and 1am. Retry in 15 minutes or use FirstMobile.

PIN locked — If your USSD PIN is locked after three failed attempts, dial `8940#` or visit a First Bank branch with your debit card to reset it.

Other Ways First Bank Customers Can Deposit on Bet9ja

First Bank customers have several alternatives to USSD for funding Bet9ja, particularly for amounts above the USSD tier limit.

FirstMobile App — First Bank’s official mobile banking app supports instant transfers up to ₦5,000,000 per day for fully verified customers. It is the best option when USSD limits are too restrictive.

First Bank Internet Banking — Access via firstbanknigeria.com. Transfers are processed in real-time during banking hours. No USSD-tier restrictions apply here.

OPay — Transfer funds from your First Bank account to OPay, then use OPay to deposit on Bet9ja. This route is particularly useful when you want an instant deposit without the USSD tier constraints. See Bet9ja OPay guide.

PalmPay — Another wallet option that works in the same way. See Bet9ja PalmPay guide.

For a full comparison of all Bet9ja deposit methods and which is fastest, see the Bet9ja deposit guide Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the First Bank USSD code for Bet9ja?
The format is `894AMOUNT*Bet9jaAccountNumber#`. Retrieve Bet9ja’s First Bank account number from the deposit section of your Bet9ja account — it is personalised and may differ from other users.

How long does a First Bank USSD Bet9ja deposit take?
Usually 1–5 minutes. Occasionally up to 30 minutes during peak hours or maintenance windows. Contact Bet9ja live chat with your First Bank SMS confirmation if funds have not appeared after 30 minutes.

Does First Bank USSD work for Bet9ja withdrawals?
No. USSD is a deposit method only. Bet9ja withdrawals are paid to your First Bank account via bank transfer — not via USSD. See the Bet9ja withdrawal hub for the withdrawal process.

What is the minimum deposit via First Bank USSD on Bet9ja?
Bet9ja’s minimum deposit is ₦500. First Bank does not impose a minimum on USSD transfers, so ₦500 is the effective minimum.

I sent money but First Bank shows a different name for the Bet9ja account — is it safe?
Virtual accounts assigned by payment processors sometimes display the processor’s name rather than “Bet9ja”. As long as you retrieved the account number directly from your Bet9ja deposit section, the transfer is going to the correct place.

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Responsible gambling: Betting should be for entertainment only. Only bet what you can afford to lose. If gambling is affecting you, contact the NLRC helpline.

Responsible gambling: Betting should be for entertainment only. Only bet what you can afford to lose. If gambling is affecting you, contact the NLRC helpline.