Nigerian banks' sort codes are nine-digit numbers that identify specific bank branches for local transfers, while SWIFT codes are used for international transactions. This guide provides the main branch sort codes for major banks in Nigeria, along with their SWIFT/BIC codes.
Understanding Nigerian Bank Sort Codes
A sort code is an identifying number used to route payments to a particular bank and branch. In Nigeria, the standard sort code has nine digits. The first three digits identify the bank, while the remaining digits identify the location and branch. Unlike countries such as the UK, Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda, which use six-digit sort codes, Nigerian banks operate multiple branches, each with its own unique sort code.
It is important to note that a bank does not have just one sort code. Large banks with branches across Nigeria have numerous sort codes, and the appropriate code depends on the branch where the account is domiciled. The correct code ensures faster, accurate, and secure domestic transactions.
Main Branch Sort Codes for Nigerian Banks
The table below provides the main or head-office branch sort codes for selected active banks in Nigeria:
- Access Bank Plc (Victoria Island, Lagos): 044150149
- Citibank Nigeria Limited (Lagos): 023150005
- Ecobank Nigeria (Victoria Island, Lagos): 050150010
- Fidelity Bank Plc (Victoria Island, Lagos): 070150003
- First Bank of Nigeria Limited (Marina, Lagos): 011152303
- First City Monument Bank (FCMB) (Lagos): 214150018
- Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) (Victoria Island, Lagos): 058152052
- Keystone Bank Limited (Victoria Island, Lagos): 082150017
- Polaris Bank Limited (Victoria Island, Lagos): 076151006
- Stanbic IBTC Bank (Victoria Island, Lagos): 221150546
- Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria (Victoria Island, Lagos): 068150057
- Sterling Bank Plc (Lagos): 232150029
- United Bank for Africa (UBA) (Lagos): 033154282
- Union Bank of Nigeria (Lagos): 032156825
- Unity Bank Plc (Abuja): 215082334
- Wema Bank Plc (Lagos): 035150103
- Zenith Bank Plc (Victoria Island, Lagos): 057150013
SWIFT Codes for Nigerian Banks
A SWIFT code, also known as a Bank Identifier Code (BIC), identifies a financial institution when sending or receiving international payments. Unlike a Nigerian sort code, which is primarily used for domestic banking and branch identification, a SWIFT/BIC is used in cross-border payment instructions. A SWIFT code generally contains eight characters, although an additional three-character branch identifier can be added to identify a specific branch or department.
Below are some commonly used SWIFT/BIC codes for Nigerian banks and financial institutions:
- Access Bank Plc (Lagos): ABNGNGLA
- Citibank Nigeria Limited (Lagos): CITINGLA
- Ecobank Nigeria (Lagos): ECOCNGLA
- Fidelity Bank Plc (Lagos): FIDTNGLA
- First Bank of Nigeria Limited (Lagos): FBNINGLA
- First City Monument Bank (Lagos): FCMBNGLA
- Guaranty Trust Bank (Lagos): GTBINGLA
- Globus Bank (Lagos): GLOUNGLA
- Jaiz Bank Plc (Abuja): JAIZNGLA
- Keystone Bank Limited (Lagos): PLNINGLA
- Lotus Bank (Lagos): LOTUNGLA
- Optimus Bank Limited (Lagos): OPTSNGLA
- Parallex Bank (Lagos): PARANGLAP
- Premium Trust Bank (Lagos): PTRUNGLA
- Providus Bank (Lagos): UMPLNGLAP
- Polaris Bank Limited (Lagos): PRDTNGLA
- Stanbic IBTC Bank (Lagos): SBICNGLX
- Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria (Lagos): SCBLNGLA
- Sterling Bank Plc (Lagos): NAMENGLAS
- SunTrust Bank Nigeria (Lagos): SUTGNGLAT
- TAJBank (Abuja): TAJJNGLA
- Titan Trust Bank (Lagos): TTRUNGLA
- Union Bank of Nigeria (Lagos): UBNINGLA
- United Bank for Africa (Lagos): UNAFNGLA
- Wema Bank (Lagos): WEMANGLA
- Zenith Bank (Lagos): ZEIBNGLA
Frequently Asked Questions About Sort Codes
What information does a bank sort code display? A Nigerian sort code identifies the bank and branch associated with the account. Its digits contain information used to identify the banking institution, location, and branch. The exact format of sort codes varies between countries, so a nine-digit Nigerian sort code should not be confused with the six-digit sort codes used in countries such as the UK.
Do Nigerian banks have sort codes? Yes. Nigerian banks have nine-digit sort codes, and individual branches can have different codes. Consequently, there is no single sort code that can be used for every branch of a particular bank. The correct code depends on the branch and account involved in the transaction.
How do you find a bank's sort code? The sort code may appear on banking documents, such as cheques, depending on the bank and the document format. Customers can also obtain the correct code from their bank, branch, or official banking channels.
Is the SWIFT code the same as the sort code in Nigeria? No. A SWIFT/BIC and a Nigerian sort code serve different purposes. A sort code is primarily associated with domestic banking and identifies a bank and branch within Nigeria. A SWIFT/BIC identifies a financial institution for international payments and is commonly required when sending or receiving money across borders.
Nigerian banks' sort codes identify banks and their branches and are important for routing domestic payments correctly. However, because banks operate multiple branches, each institution can have several sort codes. The codes in this guide are therefore presented as main or head-office branch references, not as the only sort codes for each bank.
Legit.ng published an article about the Fidelity Bank transfer code. Fidelity Bank is one of the top-ranked financial institutions in Nigeria. The financial institution has adopted USSD codes, making banking effortless and accessible. As a member, you must familiarise yourself with the Fidelity Bank transfer code. The banking sector has adopted the latest technology to provide financial services efficiently. One of the technologies is USSD codes. The codes enable transactions to be done remotely without needing the Internet. Discover more about the Fidelity Bank transfer code and how it works.
