If you use OPay without internet access, the *955# USSD service can be useful for transferring money, checking your account and carrying out other transactions.

But there is one question many users have before dialling the code: Does OPay charge for USSD transactions?

The answer requires separating the USSD network charge from any fee that may apply to the actual financial transaction.

As of 2026, the regulated USSD charge for financial transactions is ₦6.98 per transaction, while OPay itself advertises transfers to other bank accounts as free on its service information. The ₦6.98 charge is associated with the USSD channel and is collected for mobile network operators, rather than being an OPay transfer fee.

There may also be other applicable charges depending on the transaction you perform.

How Much Is the OPay USSD Charge?

The standard USSD charge for financial transactions through CBN-licensed institutions is ₦6.98 per transaction.

This charge was established through a joint framework involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The regulators stated that the fee would be collected on behalf of mobile network operators.

So, if you use OPay’s USSD service for a qualifying financial transaction, the USSD channel can attract a ₦6.98 charge.

This is different from saying that OPay charges ₦6.98 as its own transfer fee.

Is the ₦6.98 OPay USSD Charge an OPay Fee?

No.

The ₦6.98 USSD charge is a network-related fee associated with providing the USSD banking channel.

The CBN and NCC’s framework states that the charge is collected on behalf of mobile network operators, which provide the telecommunications infrastructure required for USSD services.

This distinction is important because you may see a debit connected to a USSD transaction and assume that OPay has added a transfer fee.

In reality, the charge can be for the USSD service itself.

How Is the USSD Charge Collected in 2026?

Nigeria’s USSD billing arrangement has changed over time.

Under the earlier arrangement, the ₦6.98 charge was deducted from the customer’s bank account. More recent implementation of the End-User Billing (EUB) model moves the charge to the customer’s mobile network account.

The NCC’s published information says USSD banking sessions continue to attract ₦6.98, with a session lasting up to 120 seconds.

This means that when using OPay USSD, you may need sufficient airtime on the mobile number linked to your account, depending on how the service is billed by your network.

Does OPay Charge for Dialling *955#?

Simply knowing the OPay USSD code is not the same as completing a financial transaction.

OPay’s USSD code is:

*955#

The code provides access to OPay’s USSD services without requiring mobile data.

However, the applicable USSD charge relates to qualifying financial transactions through the channel. The regulatory framework specifically covers USSD services for financial transactions.

So, you should not assume that every interaction with the menu automatically means OPay has charged you a transfer fee.

Does OPay Charge for USSD Transfers?

OPay’s current service information says customers can transfer money to other bank accounts for free.

However, using USSD introduces a separate channel-related cost.

For example, if you send money through *955#, there can be:

The applicable USSD network charge
Any applicable charge connected to the particular transaction
Any statutory levy or duty that applies to the transaction

Therefore, “free transfer” does not necessarily mean that using the USSD channel will cost absolutely nothing.

It is better to distinguish between the transfer fee and the USSD service charge.

OPay USSD Charges vs OPay App Charges

One reason users may notice a difference is the channel they use.

Transaction method	Possible charge to consider
OPay app transfer	OPay’s applicable transfer fee
OPay USSD transfer	USSD network charge plus applicable transaction charges
OPay USSD balance check	USSD channel rules may apply
OPay app balance check	No USSD network charge
OPay app airtime purchase	Product-specific terms apply
OPay USSD airtime purchase	Check the USSD prompt before confirming

OPay promotes its app as a major channel for managing financial services, while *955# provides an offline option for users who do not have internet access.

What Other Charges Can Apply to an OPay USSD Transfer?

The ₦6.98 USSD charge is not necessarily the only amount that can appear around a financial transaction.

For example, statutory charges can apply to certain transactions.

Nigeria’s tax rules introduced changes affecting electronic transfers from 2026, including a ₦50 Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) on qualifying transfers of ₦10,000 and above.

Because statutory charges and financial-institution fees can change, users should always check the amount displayed before entering their PIN.

The safest rule is simple:

Look at the transaction confirmation screen before approving the payment.

Example: Sending ₦5,000 Through OPay USSD

Suppose you want to send ₦5,000 through OPay’s *955# service.

Your cost can be understood in two parts:

The money you are transferring: ₦5,000
The applicable USSD service charge: ₦6.98

The ₦6.98 is not money being sent to the recipient. It is the charge associated with the USSD channel.

Your exact final debit can depend on any other applicable transaction charges shown by OPay or required by regulation.

Example: Sending ₦20,000 Through OPay USSD

Now imagine you want to transfer ₦20,000.

The transaction can involve more than the USSD channel fee because qualifying electronic transfers may also be subject to statutory charges.

That means you should not calculate the total cost by looking only at the ₦6.98 USSD fee.

Before confirming the transaction, check the final amount displayed by OPay.

Does OPay USSD Work Without Internet?

Yes.

One of the main reasons for having a USSD channel is that it does not require mobile data.

OPay provides *955# as its USSD service, allowing customers to access financial services using a mobile phone connection. OPay also provides the USSD options for locking an account or card if a phone or card is lost.

This can be particularly useful when:

Your data bundle has finished
Your smartphone is unavailable
Your internet connection is poor
You are using a basic phone
The OPay app cannot connect to the internet

What Can You Do With OPay USSD?

OPay’s *955# service provides access to several financial functions.

Depending on the current menu available to your account, you can use it for services such as:

Money transfers
Balance checking
Airtime purchases
Data purchases
Bill payments
Account management
Security functions

OPay’s current Google Play listing also confirms that users can block their account or card through USSD using security codes.

Because USSD menus and shortcuts can change, it is safer to dial *955# and follow the options displayed on your phone rather than relying on an old shortcut found online.

How to Avoid Unexpected OPay USSD Charges

If you want to keep your USSD costs under control, these simple habits can help.

1. Check the final amount before confirming

Do not enter your PIN until you have reviewed the transaction details.

2. Use the OPay app when you have internet

If your transaction can be completed through the app without a USSD channel charge, using the app may be preferable.

3. Keep enough airtime on your registered SIM

Under the End-User Billing model, USSD charges can be deducted through your mobile network’s airtime system.

4. Do not repeat failed transactions immediately

If a USSD transaction appears to have failed, check your balance and transaction history before trying again.

Repeated attempts can create confusion, especially when one transaction is delayed and another succeeds.

5. Read the USSD prompt carefully

Do not approve a transaction simply because you are familiar with the code.

Always confirm the recipient, amount and applicable charges shown on the screen.

Why Does OPay USSD Cost Money If the Code Is Free?

USSD may look simple because you only dial a short code, but the service relies on mobile network infrastructure.

Telecommunications operators provide the connection that allows the financial institution’s USSD platform to communicate with your phone.

The CBN and NCC introduced the ₦6.98 flat charge partly to establish a transparent way of paying for the USSD service. The regulators stated that banks and other CBN-licensed institutions should not impose additional USSD charges beyond the agreed arrangement.

So the charge is not simply a fee for typing *955#.

It helps cover the infrastructure used to deliver the financial USSD service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OPay USSD charge in 2026?

The regulated USSD charge for qualifying financial transactions is ₦6.98. The charge is associated with the USSD service and mobile network operators, rather than being an OPay transfer fee.

Does OPay charge ₦6.98 for every transfer?

The ₦6.98 amount is the regulated USSD channel charge for qualifying financial transactions. It should not be confused with an OPay transfer fee. OPay currently advertises transfers to other bank accounts as free on its service information.

Who receives the ₦6.98 USSD charge?

The CBN and NCC framework states that the USSD charge is collected on behalf of mobile network operators that provide the infrastructure for the service.

Can I use OPay without paying a USSD charge?

If you use the OPay app over the internet instead of the USSD channel, you avoid the USSD network charge. However, individual financial services may have their own applicable fees or statutory charges.

Does OPay USSD work without airtime?

USSD itself does not require mobile data, but a USSD financial transaction can require sufficient airtime where the network charges the USSD fee through the End-User Billing model. The NCC says the ₦6.98 charge can be billed to the user’s mobile network account.

Conclusion

OPay USSD is useful when you need to carry out financial transactions without an internet connection, but using *955# is not necessarily completely free.

The key charge to understand is the ₦6.98 USSD fee applicable to qualifying financial transactions. This is a regulated USSD service charge associated with mobile network operators, rather than an OPay transfer fee.

OPay itself currently advertises transfers to other bank accounts as free, but other transaction-related or statutory charges can still apply depending on what you are doing.

If you are about to make a transaction through *955#, the best practice is to check the final confirmation screen carefully before entering your PIN. That gives you the clearest view of what will actually be deducted.

OPay USSD Charges: How Much Does *955# Cost?