Yes. If the loved one died in 2006, you may still be able to claim money held in her Nigerian bank account in 2026. The fact that 20 years have passed does not automatically mean the money is lost. The CBN's current rules specifically provide for reclaiming dormant/unclaimed balances by a legal reprRead more
Yes. If the loved one died in 2006, you may still be able to claim money held in her Nigerian bank account in 2026. The fact that 20 years have passed does not automatically mean the money is lost.
The CBN’s current rules specifically provide for reclaiming dormant/unclaimed balances by a legal representative, beneficiary or next-of-kin, provided the required evidence of entitlement is supplied. �
Central Bank of Nigeria
What you should do
1. Identify the bank and account
Find out the bank where she maintained the account.
If you know the account number, keep it.
If you don’t know the account number, the bank may still be able to investigate using her full name and other identifying information, subject to its verification procedures.
2. Establish that you have legal authority to claim If she died without leaving the money directly to you through an appropriate legal arrangement, you normally cannot simply walk into the bank and withdraw it because you are her child/relative.
You will generally need Probate or Letters of Administration or other appropriate evidence establishing your legal entitlement to the estate. CBN rules recognize executors/administrators for winding up a deceased person’s estate. �
Central Bank of Nigeria +1
3. Check whether the money has been transferred to the CBN’s Unclaimed Balances Trust Fund
After prolonged dormancy, qualifying balances can be transferred to the CBN. The CBN now provides an online search facility where you can search for unclaimed balances by account name or account number. �
CBN Unclaimed Balance Trust Fund
CBN Unclaimed Balance Trust Fund search�
4. If you find the account, approach the bank The CBN’s current guidance says a next-of-kin, legal representative or beneficial owner can make a claim through the financial institution, supported by the necessary legal evidence of title. �
Central Bank of Nigeria
Important point
If your loved one died in 2006, I would not start by assuming the money is still sitting at the original bank branch. There is a good possibility that, if the account remained untouched for many years, it may now be classified as a dormant/unclaimed balance and potentially transferred to the CBN’s trust fund.
Also, there is no fee for processing an unclaimed-balance reclaim under the CBN’s stated guidelines. �
Can I Still Claim a Deceased Relative’s Bank Account in Nigeria After 20 Years?
Yes. If the loved one died in 2006, you may still be able to claim money held in her Nigerian bank account in 2026. The fact that 20 years have passed does not automatically mean the money is lost. The CBN's current rules specifically provide for reclaiming dormant/unclaimed balances by a legal reprRead more
Yes. If the loved one died in 2006, you may still be able to claim money held in her Nigerian bank account in 2026. The fact that 20 years have passed does not automatically mean the money is lost.
See lessThe CBN’s current rules specifically provide for reclaiming dormant/unclaimed balances by a legal representative, beneficiary or next-of-kin, provided the required evidence of entitlement is supplied. �
Central Bank of Nigeria
What you should do
1. Identify the bank and account
Find out the bank where she maintained the account.
If you know the account number, keep it.
If you don’t know the account number, the bank may still be able to investigate using her full name and other identifying information, subject to its verification procedures.
2. Establish that you have legal authority to claim If she died without leaving the money directly to you through an appropriate legal arrangement, you normally cannot simply walk into the bank and withdraw it because you are her child/relative.
You will generally need Probate or Letters of Administration or other appropriate evidence establishing your legal entitlement to the estate. CBN rules recognize executors/administrators for winding up a deceased person’s estate. �
Central Bank of Nigeria +1
3. Check whether the money has been transferred to the CBN’s Unclaimed Balances Trust Fund
After prolonged dormancy, qualifying balances can be transferred to the CBN. The CBN now provides an online search facility where you can search for unclaimed balances by account name or account number. �
CBN Unclaimed Balance Trust Fund
CBN Unclaimed Balance Trust Fund search�
4. If you find the account, approach the bank The CBN’s current guidance says a next-of-kin, legal representative or beneficial owner can make a claim through the financial institution, supported by the necessary legal evidence of title. �
Central Bank of Nigeria
Important point
If your loved one died in 2006, I would not start by assuming the money is still sitting at the original bank branch. There is a good possibility that, if the account remained untouched for many years, it may now be classified as a dormant/unclaimed balance and potentially transferred to the CBN’s trust fund.
Also, there is no fee for processing an unclaimed-balance reclaim under the CBN’s stated guidelines. �