FG plans to replace BVN with NIN
The federal government said agreements are currently being signed to replace bank control numbers (BVN) with national identification numbers (NIN).
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. Isa Pantami, who reported this to reporters shortly after touring telecom operators and NIN licensees in Abuja, said President Muhammadu Bukhari was briefed on the current NIN records.
Pantami, who said the president was happy with the exercise, added that he had also informed the National Committee for Economic Sustainability, led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to replace BVN with NIN.
Pantami argued that while the BVN is only intended for account holders at various banks, national identification numbers are for all Nigerians, regardless of their status.
To ensure that Nigerians are registered correctly, the minister visited the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Registration Center in Gwarinpe, MTN, Glo Mobile and Airtel’s zonal headquarters in Maitama, and private operator OMNL, Nigeria.
Accompanied by NCC Executive Vice President, Professor Garb Dunbutt; NITDA CEO Kashifu Inuwa and NIMC CEO Ingres Aliya Aziz said he was impressed by the strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols at all registration centers.
Answering the problems faced by those with BVN data who want to update NIN data, Antami said, “The problem is that the BVN records may not match 100% with the NIN, but more importantly, it is The NIN is the primary identifier for every citizen, including legal residents.
“BVN is a bank policy that has not been established by law, NIN is the only mandatory number, and the primary identification of our citizens, and any other identification is secondary.
“The 2007 NIMC Act requires all of our citizens to be enrolled and the law gives them the right to register within 60 days of the law’s entry into force and a maximum of 180 days, as well as all permanent residents and legal residents who must remain you must be registered here for at least 24 months.
“So this is everyone’s primary identity, and all other databases have to use that and not the NIN to use the BVN, because that’s the main one.
“Today we discussed with the Governor of CBN how to ensure that all of our citizens receive NIN immediately with the BVN. We are working on it, but CBN should make it easier to make it much easier for our employees. “
When asked to clarify the government’s position on replacing BVN with NIN, Pantami said: “I made a presentation to the National Committee on Economic Sustainability and drew the CBN manager’s attention to the fact that we need to replace BVN with NIN because BVN is banking policy and NIN this is the law.
“Because it was established by law, so the power of law wherever you go is not the same as the policy of the institution.
“In addition, the BVN is applicable only to those who have bank accounts, but the NIN is for every citizen and legal resident of the country. The BVN is our secondary database and the NIN and database is the primary in the country where every institution must link to the NIMC. “
Source: – The Nation
