How to Get a Virtual Number in Nigeria to Receive OTP Codes (2026 Guide)

Almost every app asks for a phone number before it lets you in. If you do not want to hand over your personal SIM — or you simply need a second number for a new account — a virtual number lets you receive the verification SMS online. Here is how it works on Sabiverify, from sign-up to your first code.

What a virtual number actually is

A virtual number is a phone number that is not tied to a SIM card in your pocket. The verification SMS is delivered to your dashboard instead, where you can read the code and paste it into the app you are verifying. For one-time sign-ups, you rent the number for a short window (usually a few minutes), receive one code and you are done.

Step by step

1. Create an account and log in to your dashboard.
2. Fund your wallet. Add money in Naira using any of the payment options shown on the funding page.
3. Open the Virtual Numbers page and choose the country you need — many services accept numbers from specific countries only.
4. Search for the service (WhatsApp, Telegram, Google, Facebook and so on) and check the price shown.
5. Buy the number. You will see it on screen with a countdown.
6. Enter the number in the app, request the code, and wait for it to appear in your dashboard.
7. Copy the code into the app and finish your sign-up.

Tips for a smooth first order

• Request the code in the app after you have bought the number, not before — the timer starts when you buy.
• Have the app open and ready on the sign-up screen so you do not run out of time.
• Only request a code once. Repeated resends can make the platform delay or block further messages.
• If no code arrives before the timer ends, cancel the order from the dashboard and try another number, rather than waiting on a dead one.

One-time number or long-term rental?

If you only need a single verification, a one-time number is the cheaper option. If you will log in to the account repeatedly and expect more codes later, a rental is safer — see our guide on choosing between the two.

Stay safe

Use a virtual number only for accounts you are allowed to create, and follow each platform's rules. A virtual number is a privacy tool, not a way around bans or terms of service.