Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-03-05 12:49:30
Many Nigerians are currently facing long wait times in banks as they try to connect their National Identification Number (NIN) to their bank accounts. This surge in activity follows the recent directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria instructing banks to impose restrictions on all Tier 1 bank accounts without either a Bank Verification Number (BVN) or NIN by March 1.
While some bank customers in Ibadan expressed frustration over the perceived redundancy of this requirement, as most account holders already have a BVN, others have encountered obstacles in complying with the new regulation. Some banks have provided self-service guidelines for customers to link their NIN and BVN to their accounts, while others have not yet done so.
Anike Adewoye, a bank customer, criticized the directive, calling it a waste of time and resources and accusing authorities of failing to inform Nigerians about the linkage requirement in a timely manner. Similarly, Yinka Olanrenwaju recounted being denied a transaction at his bank due to his NIN not being linked to his account. He shared his frustration at being asked to join a long queue to complete the process, despite providing his NIN number.
The situation is exacerbated by the influx of people at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) office in Ibadan, where individuals are seeking to obtain their NIN for various purposes. Olaniyi Olawuyi, one of those waiting, expressed concern about the challenges of queuing at the bank to link his NIN and suggested alternative methods for customers to complete this process without visiting the bank in person.
While some banks have implemented strategies to streamline the NIN-account linkage process and reduce the strain on physical bank branches, others have not taken similar steps. An anonymous bank official acknowledged the varying approaches taken by different banks, with some requiring customers to visit branches or contact their account officers to complete the linkage.
Overall, the requirement to link NIN to bank accounts has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some finding the process inconvenient and redundant, while others face challenges in complying with the directive due to long queues and lack of clear guidance. As banks work to facilitate this linkage and accommodate the increased demand for NIN-related services, customers hope for more efficient and convenient methods to complete this necessary task without disruptions to their banking activities.
Read the original article on DailyNigerian.com
