NIMC: FG gives fresh updates, says BVN will soon be replaced with NIN

NIMC: FG gives fresh updates, says BVN will soon be replaced with NIN

- Isa Pantami, the minister of communications and digital economy, has said that the NIN would soon replaced BVN

- Pantami made this known in Abuja on Monday, February 8

- The minister noted that he has briefed President on Buhari on the need to replace BVN with NIN

PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

The federal government has stated arrangements are ongoing to replace the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) with the National Identity Numbers (NIN).

The Nation reports that Isa Pantami, the minister of communications and digital economy, who made this known shortly after a tour of telecoms operators and NIN licensees in Abuja, said President Muhammadu Buhari has been briefed on the on-going NIN registrations.

Legit.ng gathered that the minister said the president was happy with the conduct of the exercise so far, adding that he had also briefed the National Economic Sustainability Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the imperative of replacing BVN with NIN.

Read also

Buhari, Ganduje aides frown at Fani-Kayode's purported return to APC

FG plans to replace BVN with NIN, says Pantami
The minister of communications and digital eceonomy, Isa Pantami said that FG is planning to replace BVN with NIN. Credit: @DrIsaPantami
Source: Twitter

He argued that while BVN was only for accounts holders with various banks, the NINs are for all Nigerians irrespective of their status.

The minister also visited the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) registration centre in Gwarinpa, the zonal headquarters of MTN, Glo Mobile and Airtel in Maitama as well as a Private operator, OMNL, Nigeria.

He was accompanied by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Garba Danbatta; director-general of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr Aliyu Aziz.

Pantami noted that he was impressed by the strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols at all the registration centres.

Pantami said:

"The challenge is that the BVN records may not be 100 percent the same with NIN but what is most important is that the NIN is the primary identity of each and every citizen, including legal residents.
“BVN is a policy of a bank and has not been established by law, NIN is the only mandatory number and the primary identification of our citizens and every other identification is secondary."

Read also

Fani-Kayode moves to dump PDP for APC

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the NIMC warned Nigerians not to patronise fraudsters claiming to sell the NIN enrolment form.

It was reported that the agency in a disclaimer signed by Aliyu Aziz, director-general of NIMC, said it has not authorised the sale of NIN enrolment forms.

NIMC in a tweet stated that unscrupulous persons are parading themselves as its agents to extort money from members of the public.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Wale Akinola avatar

Wale Akinola Wale Akinola is a passionate journalist and researcher. He is the Head of Desk, Politics and Current Arts, Legit.ng. He holds both B. A and Master’s degree in Communications and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan. He also holds a Diploma Certificate in Peace Journalism. He has over 15 years of work experience in both print and online media. You can reach him via +2348054137974 or wale.akinola@corp.legit.ng.