The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami has disclosed the Federal Government plan to replace the Bank Verification Number (BVN) with the National Identification Number (NIN).
The minister stated that arrangements has been out in place to replace BVN with NIN.
Isa said he had informed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about the plan to replace BVN with NIN.
He further stated that BVN is a bank policy, while NIN is a law in Nigeria, noting that the BVN is only applicable to those with bank accounts, but NIN is applicable to every citizen of Nigeria and legal residents in the country.
However, Isa described the BVN as Nigeria’s secondary database while NIN and the primary database in the country.
According to the minister, the National Identification Management Commission, NIMC Act 2007 provides that all citizens must be enroled for NIN.
Speaking further, the Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari was happy with the NIN enrolment exercise in the country.
Nyscinfo.com learnt that Isa visited the NIMC registration Centre in Gwarinpa, the Zonal Headquarters of MTN, Glo Mobile and Airtel in Maitama to witness the ongoing enrolment exercise.
Isa added that the Nigerian government has shifted the deadline for NIN registration to April 6th, 2021 to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to link their NIN with SIM cards