Verification is supposed to be a one-time thing. But sometimes it doesn't go smoothly — an OTP that never arrives, a name that doesn't match, a NIN the system doesn't recognise. These issues are frustrating, especially when your FlipEx wallet balance is sitting there waiting.
This guide covers every common BVN and NIN verification issue we see on FlipEx, why each one happens, and the fastest way to resolve it. If you're stuck, you're in the right place.
Quick Reference: Which Error Are You Seeing?
- OTP not received: → Jump to: OTP Issues section
- 'Invalid BVN' error: → Jump to: BVN Issues section
- 'Invalid NIN' or NIN not recognised: → Jump to: NIN Issues section
- Phone number mismatch: → Jump to: Phone Number Mismatch section
- Need to correct NIN name or date of birth: → Jump to: NIN Modification section
- NIN not linked to your network: → Jump to: NIN Linkage Issues section
- Verification keeps failing despite correct details: → Jump to: Persistent Failures section
BVN Verification Issues
'Invalid BVN' Error
This is the most common BVN error and almost always a data entry issue.
- Check every digit: A BVN is exactly 11 digits. Dial *565*0# on your registered phone to retrieve your BVN and compare it digit by digit with what you entered.
- Watch out for transpositions: Swapping two digits — e.g. entering 58 instead of 85 — is easy to do and triggers this error every time.
- Re-enter from scratch: Don't copy-paste from a previous attempt. Clear the field and type it fresh.
Still getting the error after double-checking? Your BVN may need to be updated at your bank. Visit any branch with a valid ID. For more on what BVN is and how it's used, see our BVN guide.
BVN and Phone Number Mismatch
Most platforms require that the phone number on your account matches the phone number registered to your BVN at your bank. If they don't match, verification will fail at the OTP step.
- Check your registered BVN number: Contact your bank or visit a branch to confirm which phone number your BVN is registered to.
- Update at your bank: If your BVN is on an old or inactive number, visit your bank to update it. Bring your ID.
- Update your Platform specific number: Alternatively, if your BVN number is correct and your account on the platform uses a different number, update your platform account number to match.
Phone number and BVN mismatch issues are however not a challenge on FlipEx as we understand that people may change or lose phone numbers. FlipEx double checks the BVN information with a live selfie confirmation..
BVN Already Linked to Another Account
Each BVN can only be linked to one FlipEx account. If you previously created a FlipEx account — even one you no longer use — your BVN may already be registered on the platform.
- Check for old accounts: Try logging into any previous FlipEx account using the phone number or email you used at the time.
- Contact support: If you can't access your old account, reach out to FlipEx support via in-app chat. They can help verify ownership and resolve the conflict.
NIN Verification Issues
'Invalid NIN' or NIN Not Recognised
Like the BVN equivalent, this is almost always a digit error. A NIN is exactly 11 digits — dial *346# to retrieve yours fresh and compare carefully.
- Retrieve your NIN via USSD: Dial *346# on your NIMC-registered phone number. Do not rely on memory or old messages.
- Check it's not your BVN: BVN and NIN are both 11 digits and Flippers sometimes mix them up. Your BVN is retrieved via *565*0#, your NIN via *346#. They are different numbers.
- Confirm NIMC enrollment: If *346# returns no NIN, you may not yet be enrolled with NIMC. Visit any NIMC enrolment centre with a valid ID to register. It's free.
For full enrollment and retrieval options, visit the NIMC Self-Service Portal.
NIN Not Linked to Your Phone Number
One of the most common Tier 3 blockers experienced by Flippers. Most platforms verifies NIN via OTP to your linked phone number so, if your NIN is not linked to the network number on your account, the OTP cannot be sent correctly and verification fails. See How to link NIN to your network for full network-by-network linking instructions.
NIN Linked to a Different Phone Number
If your NIN is linked to a number other than the one the account you want to verify, you have two options:
- Re-link your NIN to your current number: Contact your network provider to unlink and re-link your NIN to your current active line.
- Use the number your NIN is linked to: If possible, switch your account to the number your NIN is already linked to — this is often the faster path.
OTP Issues
OTP Not Arriving
This is the most reported verification issue overall — and in most cases, it resolves itself within a few minutes.
- Wait 2-3 minutes: OTP delivery can be delayed by network traffic. Don't immediately request another — multiple OTP requests can cause all of them to expire.
- Check your signal: A weak or intermittent network connection is the most common cause of OTP failure. Move to a better signal area and retry.
- Confirm your number: Make sure the phone number on your account is active, correct, and the same number linked to your BVN or NIN.
- Request a new OTP: If no OTP arrives after 3-5 minutes, tap 'Resend OTP'. Only do this once — repeated requests can trigger a temporary block.
OTP Expired
OTPs are valid for a short window (typically 5-10 minutes). If you receive the OTP but enter it after it has expired, you'll see an 'Invalid OTP' error.
- Request a fresh OTP: Tap 'Resend OTP' and enter the new code immediately.
- Have your details ready: Before requesting an OTP, make sure your BVN or NIN is already typed in correctly so you can enter the OTP the moment it arrives.
NIN Modification and Correction Issues
If your NIN verification fails because of a name mismatch, incorrect date of birth, or other demographic discrepancy, the issue is with your NIMC record — not FlipEx. These NIN modification fixes must be done directly through NIMC.
How to Correct Your NIN Name Online
If your name on your NIN is misspelled or outdated, you can request a correction via the NIMC Self-Service Portal. You'll need your NIN, a valid ID, and supporting documents (such as a birth certificate or passport) that show the correct name.
Minor corrections can often be done online. For major changes such as a legal name change after marriage, you may need to visit an NIMC enrolment centre.
How to Correct Your NIN Date of Birth
Date of birth corrections follow a similar process to name corrections. Visit the NIMC Self-Service Portal with supporting documents (birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or passport) that confirm your correct date of birth. Processing typically takes 5-10 working days.
How Long Does NIN Modification Take?
Minor data corrections (spelling errors, phone number updates) typically take 3-7 working days through the NIMC portal. Major modifications (name changes, demographic corrections) may take up to 10-15 working days and require in-person verification. Once your NIMC record is updated, retry your FlipEx Tier 3 verification.
NIN Linkage Issues (Network Blocking)
NIN Not Linked — Line at Risk of Deactivation
Since the NCC's 2022-2023 SIM-NIN linkage mandate, any line without a linked NIN is subject to restriction or deactivation. If your line has been blocked, your OTPs won't arrive — which breaks verification at multiple points. See the full NIN linking guide for step-by-step network-by-network instructions.
How to Link NIN to Airtel After Being Blocked
If your Airtel line has been blocked due to an unlinked NIN, you can reactivate it by visiting any Airtel service centre with your NIN and a valid ID. Remote re-linking via SMS is available for partially restricted lines but physical verification may be required for fully blocked lines.
How to Check Which Numbers Are Linked to Your NIN
To see which phone numbers are currently linked to your NIN, dial *346*3# on any network. NIMC will return a list of lines registered against your identity. If you see numbers you don't recognise, contact NIMC immediately to request a review.
Persistent Failures — When Nothing Seems to Work
If you've followed all the steps above and verification is still failing, here's the escalation path:
- Restart the app. Close FlipEx completely, reopen it, and try again. App cache issues can occasionally cause verification to stall.
- Reinstall the app. If a restart doesn't help, uninstall and reinstall FlipEx. This clears any corrupted session data.
- Try on a different device. In rare cases, device-level issues (OS version, security settings) can interfere with OTP receipt. Try verification on a different phone using the same account credentials.
- Contact FlipEx support. If the issue persists across devices, contact the FlipEx support team via in-app chat. Have your account email, the phone number linked to your account, and a screenshot of the error message ready. Support can escalate issues that can't be resolved self-service.
Most verification issues resolve at Step 1 or 2. If you reach Step 4, the FlipEx support team can usually resolve it within one business day.
FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Verification Questions
What is the difference between BVN and NIN?
BVN is your banking identity number issued by the CBN — it links your bank accounts. NIN is your national identity number issued by NIMC — it's your government ID. On FlipEx, BVN is Tier 2 and NIN is Tier 3. Both are needed for full account access.
Why does FlipEx ask for both BVN and NIN?
Each document verifies a different layer of your identity — BVN confirms your banking identity, NIN confirms your national identity. Together, they give FlipEx the strongest possible assurance that your account belongs to a real, verified person, which in turn protects you from fraud and account takeover.
My details are correct but verification keeps failing. What now?
Try the persistent failure steps above: restart, reinstall, different device, then contact support. The most common hidden cause is a phone number mismatch between your FlipEx account and your BVN or NIN registration — double-check this first. See our BVN verification guide for the BVN-specific version of this fix.
How do I modify my NIN details?
Visit the NIMC Self-Service Portal or any NIMC enrolment centre with supporting documents. Minor corrections take 3-7 days; major changes up to 15 days. Once updated, retry Tier 3 verification on FlipEx.
Can I skip verification and still use FlipEx?
You can use FlipEx at Tier 1 (email + phone only) to sell gift cards and deposit crypto. Tier 2 (BVN) is needed to sell crypto and withdraw to your bank. Tier 3 (NIN) unlocks maximum limits and full platform access.
Verification Issues Resolved — What's Next?
Getting verification right once means it's done forever. Once your BVN and NIN are both verified on FlipEx, your account runs at full speed — no more walls, no more holds, no more surprises.
Whether you're converting your latest gift card, selling Bitcoin for naira, or just topping up airtime and data — a fully verified FlipEx account makes every transaction faster, safer, and smoother.