Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ruled out the possibility of an extension of the deadline for customers to register for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) which closes tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30, 2015.
By implication, only about 15 million customers who have registered the Bank Verification Number will continue to enjoy banking services from Wednesday.
The BVN project, which commenced in February 2014, will officially close on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.
Most banking halls were last week filled with customers who were rushing to beat the deadline for the bank verification number enrolment.
Also, customers that have more than one bank account were also seen trying to link their unique number to their other accounts.
The CBN said that the BVN project will help the banks to identify their customers through their fingerprints. Each bank customer’s fingerprint is linked to their unique number.
It is meant to help check fraud in the banking system, boost retail or consumer credit, and also enhance economic growth.
Ibrahim Mu’azu, director, Corporate Communications, CBN, told a major newspaper, yesterday, that the window was open for one and a half years and customers had ample opportunity to register.
According to him, as at the last check over 14 million bank customers have already registered.
Mu’azu assured that not having the BVN will not prevent bank customers from making transactions, such as payments and withdrawals, on their accounts.
However, he said that customers using remote access services, such as internet banking and other services online, and even Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), would not be able to transact business.
Meanwhile, the apex bank also directed banks to provide online platforms for Nigerians in diaspora to register.
Although the registration closes tomorrow, many customers are still unaware of the BVN or its benefits, especially Nigerians living outside the country but who have accounts with local banks.