BMP‐2 (bone morphogenetic protein‐2) has been used in promoting bone formation and, in combination with various delivery carriers, in bone regeneration or bone tissue‐engineering practice. In the present study, BMP‐2 was immobilized directly on a GBR (guided bone‐regenerative) membrane surface made of chitosan nanofibres, providing a bioactive surface that can enhance bone‐regeneration capacity. The BMP‐2‐conjugated membrane surface retained bioactivity for up to 4 weeks of incubation, as well as holding over 50% of the initial BMP‐2 attached. The BMP‐2‐conjugated surface increased osteoblastic cell attachment in accordance with the amount of BMP‐2 conjugated. In addition, the BMP‐2‐conjugated chitosan membrane significantly promoted cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as calcium deposition when compared with BMP‐2‐adsorbed membrane, indicating a stable localization of BMP‐2 at the surface of the chitosan membrane. Taking these findings together, the conjugation of BMP‐2 on a chitosan nanofibrous membrane would seen to be applicable for inducing significant and localized bone formation in future GBR procedures.