Got airtime gathering dust on your phone? OPay lets you convert it to actual cash right in the app – no third-party websites, no complicated processes. It takes just a few minutes, and the money lands in your wallet ready to spend or transfer to your bank.
The catch? You won’t get the full face value. Like every platform that buys airtime in Nigeria, OPay pays 70-80% depending on which network you’re on. But that’s still better than watching N5,000 in unused airtime go to waste.
What you need to know
– Works with MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile
– Found in the “More” menu or directly on the OPay home screen
– You’ll get 70-80% of your airtime value in cash
– Cash hits your wallet in 1-15 minutes (usually much faster)
– Minimum conversion is N200; maximum depends on your network and KYC level
– If OPay acts up, VTUKing is a solid backup option
Does OPay actually support airtime to cash?
Yes. The feature lives right inside the app – no external tools needed. OPay buys airtime directly from you and deposits the cash into your wallet.
The platforms they support:
– MTN
– Glo
– Airtel
– 9mobile
Your OPay account needs to be verified to use this feature. Level 1 KYC (basic verification) works for smaller amounts. Want to convert more than N5,000 in a single transaction? You’ll need a higher KYC level with a valid ID and BVN linked.
On the rates: OPay doesn’t pay 100% – nobody does. They buy your airtime at a discount and resell it. You typically get 70-80% of the face value back in cash. So N1,000 in airtime becomes roughly N700-N800 in your wallet. That gap is how the service stays profitable while still giving you real value for airtime you weren’t using anyway.
How to convert airtime to cash on OPay (step by step)
Here’s exactly what you do:
- Open the OPay app and log in.
- On the home screen, tap “More” or scroll through the service icons.
- Select “Airtime to Cash” (sometimes it’s a shortcut on the main screen).
- Choose your network – MTN, Glo, Airtel, or 9mobile.
- Enter the phone number holding the airtime (yours or someone else’s).
- Type in the amount you want to convert.
- Look at the estimated payout OPay shows. This is what you’ll actually receive after the conversion rate.
- Tap “Proceed” or “Convert”.
- OPay will either deduct the airtime directly (MTN, sometimes Glo) or ask you to send it to an OPay number using your network’s transfer code (Airtel, 9mobile, sometimes Glo). The app tells you which.
- Once confirmed, your cash appears in your OPay wallet – usually within minutes.
From there, spend it, send it to friends, or transfer it to your bank account. That’s the full loop.
Real example: Chidi, a student in Enugu, gets airtime as gifts from family almost every week. He was keeping it all, but honestly wasn’t using half of it. When he found out about OPay’s airtime-to-cash feature, he started converting his leftover Glo airtime every few days. Over a month, he turned about N3,200 of sitting-around airtime into actual spending money for data and transport fare.
How to convert Airtel airtime to cash on OPay
Airtel works differently because of how their airtime system is built. OPay uses what they call a “send-to-number” method – you send the airtime to OPay’s designated Airtel line.
Here’s the process:
- In the OPay app, select Airtel in the Airtime to Cash section.
- OPay displays a phone number – this is their Airtel receiving line.
- On your Airtel phone, use the airtime transfer code:
*432*recipient number*amount*PIN#
Example: *432*08012345678*500*1234#
(Default Airtel PIN is 1234 unless you changed it.)
- Send the airtime to OPay’s number.
- OPay detects it and credits your wallet with cash at the conversion rate.
Credit usually shows up in 5-10 minutes. Wait up to 15 minutes before getting worried. Check your transaction history to make sure you didn’t accidentally send it twice – they won’t auto-reverse duplicates.
How to convert MTN and Glo airtime to cash on OPay
These two are slightly more straightforward than Airtel, though the process depends on what OPay decides on the day.
MTN airtime to cash on OPay
Usually, OPay deducts the airtime directly after you confirm in the app. You’ll see a prompt asking you to authorize it. Tap yes, and the cash appears in your wallet.
If OPay asks you to send it manually, the MTN transfer code is:
*600*recipient number*amount*PIN#
Example: *600*08012345678*1000*0000#
(Default MTN PIN is 0000.)
Glo airtime to cash on OPay
Glo’s transfer code:
*131*recipient number*amount*PIN#
Example: *131*08098765432*500*00000#
(Default Glo PIN is 00000 – five zeros.)
Send it to the OPay Glo number the app shows, and your wallet gets credited with the cash equivalent.
Important: These codes only work for airtime, not data. If you’re trying to convert data bundles, it won’t work – OPay (and pretty much every platform) only buys airtime.
OPay airtime to cash rates – what you’ll actually get
Before you convert, here’s what to expect:
| Network | Typical Rate | Minimum | Maximum Per Transaction | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTN | 75-80% | N200 | N20,000 | 1-5 min |
| Glo | 72-78% | N200 | N15,000 | 1-10 min |
| Airtel | 70-76% | N200 | N15,000 | 5-15 min |
| 9mobile | 68-75% | N200 | N10,000 | 5-15 min |
Real talk: OPay changes these rates. Always check what the app shows you before you confirm – that’s your actual payout, not these estimates.
MTN usually gets the best rates because MTN airtime is easiest to resell in Nigeria. 9mobile rates are lower because fewer people want it. Makes sense.
If a rate looks low, wait an hour and check again, or test it on VTUKing’s platform to compare. Sometimes the rates shift throughout the day.
What to do if OPay airtime to cash breaks
This happens more often than you’d think. Here are the fixes.
Airtime was deducted but no cash appeared
Don’t panic and don’t send it again. First, check your OPay wallet balance – sometimes the system shows an error but the cash actually landed. If the balance didn’t move, go to Transaction History and look for your conversion. If it says “failed,” grab the transaction reference number and hit up OPay support.
OPay customer care: Call 0700-888-0000 or use the in-app chat (Settings > Help Centre).
“Network not supported” error
You’re probably on an MVNO (a smaller network running on top of MTN or Glo). Try manually selecting the base network instead. If that doesn’t work, try a different platform.
You sent airtime but cash didn’t show up after 30 minutes
This is more common with Airtel and Glo. Wait the full 30 minutes first. If nothing shows up, open a support ticket in the OPay app and attach a screenshot of your airtime transfer confirmation. They usually resolve it in 24-48 hours.
Daily limit hit
OPay caps how much you can convert per day. If you’re doing big conversions regularly and hitting limits, upgrade your KYC level by submitting a valid ID and BVN. That usually unlocks much higher limits.
App showing old rates
Close the app completely and reopen it. OPay updates rates in real time, but your phone might be showing a cached (old) version. Always double-check the payout before you tap “Proceed.”
Alternative: Convert airtime to cash with VTUKing
OPay is solid, but it’s not your only option. If OPay’s giving you errors, the rates feel low, or you’ve hit your daily limit, try VTUKing’s airtime-to-cash service.
VTUKing handles all four networks (MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9mobile), the rates are competitive, and cash goes straight to your bank account. It’s a reliable backup when OPay isn’t cooperating – and honestly, some people prefer it as their first choice.
While you’re at it: if you need cash fast and have no airtime to convert, you can borrow money from OPay. And if you’d rather stretch your converted cash further, buying cheap data on VTUKing is smarter than paying full price to your network.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to send the airtime to another number?
For MTN, sometimes OPay pulls it directly when you confirm. For Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, you’ll usually send it to OPay’s receiving line using your network code. The app shows you exactly what to do when you pick your network.
How fast is OPay airtime to cash?
MTN: 1-5 minutes. Glo: 5-10 minutes. Airtel and 9mobile: up to 15 minutes. If 30 minutes pass with no cash, check your transaction history and contact support.
Is there a conversion limit?
Yes. It depends on your network and KYC level. Basic accounts can usually convert N5,000-N10,000 per transaction. Verified accounts with BVN can go up to N20,000 for MTN and less for other networks. You also have daily cumulative limits.
Which networks work?
MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile. Smaller networks and MVNOs don’t work through OPay’s system.
Can I send the cash to my bank account?
Yes. Once it’s in your OPay wallet, use the standard bank transfer feature to send it anywhere. Standard transfer fees apply.
Converting airtime to cash on OPay is one of the smartest things you can do with airtime you’re not using for calls. It takes minutes, the cash lands fast, and you can move it to your bank immediately. When OPay stumbles, VTUKing gets the job done just as well.