UBA Charges and Fees in Nigeria

UBA Charges and Fees in Nigeria Photo
By Fathia Abimbola

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is a leading pan-African financial institution headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, offering banking services to over 45 million customers across 20 African countries, the UK, USA, France, and the UAE. Founded in 1949, it provides retail, corporate, and investment banking via 1,000+ branches, 2,600+ ATMs, and digital platforms like Leo and the UBA Mobile App.

UBA charges are largely regulated by the CBN’s “Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions.” Charges typically apply to:

  • Electronic transfers
  • ATM withdrawals
  • Debit card usage
  • USSD banking
  • Account maintenance and alerts

UBA Transfer Charges

UBA applies transfer fees based on the amount being sent, in line with CBN guidelines.

Interbank Transfer Fees (to other banks)

₦10 – transfers below ₦5,000

₦25 – transfers between ₦5,000 and ₦50,00

₦50 – transfers above ₦50,000

Related

Additional Charges

₦50 stamp duty on transfers of ₦10,000 and above

UBA-to-UBA Transfers

Usually free or minimal charges (especially via mobile app or USSD)

ATM Withdrawal Charges

  • UBA ATM Withdrawals: Free withdrawals at UBA ATMs
  • Other Bank ATMs: ₦100 per withdrawal (₦20,000 or less)
  • Off-site ATM Withdrawals (outside bank premises): Up to ₦600 per withdrawal

This is one of the most important charges to watch, especially if you frequently withdraw cash from non-UBA machines.

Debit Card Charges

UBA debit card fees are relatively standard across Nigeria.

  • Card issuance fee: ₦1,000
  • Card replacement: ₦1,000
  • Quarterly maintenance fee: ₦50
  • POS payments (Nigeria): Free
  • Online transactions (local & international): Free
  • International ATM withdrawal: ₦1,200 + additional bank charges

All applicable charges also attract 7.5% VAT, as required by Nigerian tax regulations

USSD Banking Charges (*919#)

UBA’s USSD banking is convenient but comes with small service fees.

Common USSD Charges

Balance inquiry: ₦10

Transfers to UBA: ₦20

Transfers to other banks:

₦10 (₦0–₦5,000)

₦20 (₦5,001–₦50,000)

₦50 (above ₦50,000)

Bill payments: ₦100

Cardless withdrawal: ₦100

Session charge: about ₦6.98 per session

These charges may include VAT, depending on the transaction.

POS and Online Transaction Charges

  • POS payments within Nigeria: Free
  • Online transactions (local): Free
  • International transactions: May include foreign exchange and processing fees

UBA encourages digital payments, which is why most POS transactions remain free for customers.

SMS and Alert Charges

  • SMS transaction alerts: Typically ₦4 per message (industry standard)
  • Email alerts: Free

Customers can opt out of SMS alerts to reduce charges.

International Transaction Charges

ATM withdrawals abroad: ₦1,200 + foreign bank charges

Currency conversion fees may apply

Charges vary depending on the foreign bank or ATM provider

How to Reduce UBA Charges

  • Use UBA ATMs instead of other banks
  • Avoid off-site ATM withdrawals
  • Use mobile banking instead of USSD when possible
  • Limit frequent small transfers
  • Opt out of SMS alerts if not necessary

UBA remains one of Nigeria’s most accessible banks, but like all financial institutions, its charges can add up if not properly managed. By understanding how each fee works from transfers to ATM withdrawals you can make smarter financial decisions and reduce unnecessary deductions.

If you actively use your account for daily transactions, being aware of these charges is essential.

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Fathia Abimbola

Fathia Abimbola is an analyst and a finance major with a BSc. in Banking and Finance from the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo in Ebonyi State.

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