By INFOMEDIANG SOLUTIONS 
Understanding BVN-generated NIN
BVN-generated National Identity Numbers are temporary NINs given to Nigerians at the time of enrolment for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise in 2014.
When Nigeria decided to connect banking data with the national identity database, the system automatically generated NINs for millions of Nigerians who had a BVN but hadn’t officially registered for a NIN yet.
It is provisional, meaning holders of a BVN-generated NIN have to visit a NIN registration centre to authenticate it. It has to be validated at a NIMC office or any other accredited NIN enrolment centre close to you.
NIMC, in a social media statement on 11 January 2021, NIMC also reiterated that the only way to resolve the issues associated with a BVN-generated NIN is by visiting a NIMC office:
“You must complete your NIN registration even if your BVN has generated a NIN. If your NIN was generated due to the BVN record harmonization with the National Identity Database, you will not have access to the NIMC Mobile App and your NIN-SIM integration will be invalid.”
But since 2014 when the issue started, there are still some people who have problems using their NIN. Today, almost every online registration is tied to your NIN. This means if you don’t have a valid NIN, you will find it difficult to do almost anything.
Problems associated with BVN-generated NIN
- You will not be able to use such NINs for SIM card registration.
- Applying and registering for an international passport will be impossible until you activate your NIN.
- You will be restricted at some banks when trying to open a bank account.
Solution:
A NIN generated by the BVN can only be used after it has been updated at a NIMC enrolment centre.
Below are the steps to take if your NIN was generated during enrolment for BVN:
Visit a NIMC office with the following documents:
A printout of your BVN
Phone number
Email address
You will have to undergo biometric capturing with your details.
NIMC will validate your record with the NIMC database, thereby making your NIN usable for other services and needs.
NOTE: It isn’t that a new NIN will be generated for you, but the inactive one you already have will be authenticated and validated for use.