NIMC Faults Banks for Turning Down NIN Slip

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has condemned commercial banks for declining the National Identity Number (NIN) slip for transactions.

NIMC had during the commencement of NIN registration informed Nigerians that the NIN slip can be used for transactions but this has not so as some banks including Access Bank (a partner in the project), have been turning down the slip as a valid means of identification.

Reacting on the matter, Mr. Chika Ogbonna, head, Corporate Communications at NIMC said that banks are not supposed to turn down the slip.

Ogbonna said, “The banks are not supposed to turn down Nigerians with the NIN slip for transactions because the emphasis is on the National Identification Number which is clearly visible on the NIN slip and is similar to the Social Security Number issued in the United States of America.

“The NIN is a Unique Identifier issued to an individual upon successful registration into the National Identity Database (NIDB) and can be used to verify and authenticate the identity of such an individual in Banks and other outlets, using various platforms including Card Acceptance Devices (CAD)”.

He added that the NIN is the holder’s identity, “not even the card or the slip, hence we have commenced serious discussions with the CBN to permit the use of the NIN slip duly issued by the NIMC, which contains the NIN, which is easily verifiable using the NIMC Verification portal online and realtime.

“Meanwhile, the card is a token given after a successful enrolment and issuance of your NIN. You may lose your card or at the expiration of the card get a replacement, but not so with your NIN. The NIN is issued once in a lifetime.

He promised that once everything is put in place, the NIMC will begin to enforce the mandatory use of the NIN for transactions by agencies of government and financial institutions.