FG to replace BVN, others with NIN — Dr. Isa Pantami

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, says the Federal Government is in the process of replacing the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and other data collected by data collecting institutions with the National Identity Number (NIN).

Pantami disclosed this after monitoring the NIN enrolment process at telecom operators’ offices in Abuja on Monday, February 8.

According to him, “I Made a presentation to National Economic Sustainability Committee and I drew the attention of CBN Governor that we need to replace BVN with NIN because the BVN is a bank policy while NIN is a law because it has been established by law so the strength of the law wherever you go is not the same with a policy of one institution.

On the board of NIMC, CBN governor is a member, DG DSS is a member, Chairman of FIRS is a member, INEC Chairman, Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), National Population Commission and the Nigeria Immigration Service are all members of the board and this is to show you that it is primary database that every institution in the country should make reference to, when it comes to data protection regulations, we are in the forefront in Africa today.”