What Is a NIN?
Your National Identity Number (NIN) is an 11-digit unique identifier issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). It is your permanent, lifelong national identity number — the Nigerian equivalent of the UK National Insurance number or the US Social Security Number.
- → Issued by NIMC (government identity authority)
- → Required for passports, SIM registration, JAMB, NYSC, voter registration, driver's licence and most government services
- → Linked to your biometric data — fingerprints and facial photograph
- → Permanent — never expires, never changes, never reassigned
- → One per person — you cannot have two NINs
What Is a BVN?
Your Bank Verification Number (BVN) is an 11-digit unique identifier issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) specifically for the banking system. It was introduced in 2014 to reduce banking fraud by linking every Nigerian bank account to a biometric identity.
- → Issued by CBN (banking regulator) via commercial banks
- → Required for all Nigerian bank accounts — current, savings, corporate
- → Also linked to your biometrics — fingerprints and facial photograph captured at a bank branch
- → Permanent — tied to you, not to a specific bank or account
- → One per person — works across all Nigerian banks
NIN vs BVN — Key Differences at a Glance
Why Must NIN and BVN Be Linked?
In 2021, the Nigerian government directed all banks to link their customers' BVN to their NIN. The CBN and NIMC jointly enforced this mandate, with banks required to restrict accounts where linkage was not completed.
The reason: NIN and BVN were created separately by different government agencies using separate databases. The government now wants a single, unified identity record for every Nigerian across both systems — to reduce fraud, improve financial inclusion and create a cleaner national identity infrastructure.
⚠️ What happens if they're not linked?
- Your bank account may face transaction restrictions — blocked transfers, withdrawal limits
- You may be unable to open new bank accounts
- Access to CBN financial services and government payment programmes may be restricted
If your BVN and NIN are not yet linked, see our BVN & NIN–BVN Linkage page for how we handle this in the UK.
Do I Need Both NIN and BVN?
The short answer: yes, most Nigerians need both
- If you have a Nigerian bank account: you already have a BVN (all accounts require it). You now also need a NIN to link to it.
- If you want a Nigerian passport: you need a NIN. Passport applications are rejected without one.
- If you want to register a Nigerian SIM: you need a NIN.
- If you are a student sitting JAMB or NYSC: you need a NIN.
- If you have no Nigerian bank account: you technically don't need a BVN today, but you'll need one to open an account in the future.
The practical reality for most diaspora Nigerians is that you need both, and you need them linked. If you don't yet have one or both, it is worth sorting out at the same appointment where possible.
How to Get Your NIN in the UK
NINBVN.org is a licensed NIMC diaspora enrolment partner via FUWA Agribusiness. We provide full NIN registration across the UK and Germany — you do not need to travel to Nigeria.
- ✓ Adults: £50 · Children (under 16): £40
- ✓ 14+ centres across England, Scotland, Wales and Germany
- ✓ Biometric capture, document review, Transaction ID slip on the day
- ✓ NIN received via SMS within 1–5 working days
How to Get Your BVN in the UK
BVN enrolment in the UK is also available through NINBVN.org. We handle BVN registration and NIN–BVN linkage for diaspora Nigerians who cannot travel to a Nigerian bank branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
NIN is your national identity number issued by NIMC — used for passports, SIM cards, JAMB and all government services. BVN is your banking identity number issued by CBN — used specifically for Nigerian bank accounts. Both use biometrics, but they are managed by different agencies for different purposes.
Yes, for most Nigerians. NIN is required for passports, SIM cards and government services. BVN is required for Nigerian bank accounts. The government now requires them to be linked — accounts without linkage face restrictions.
You may already have a BVN without a NIN (many Nigerians enrolled for BVN before NIN became mandatory). However, CBN now requires all BVN records to be linked to a NIN. Without this linkage, your bank account may face transaction restrictions.
Get your NIN first. NIN is the broader identity number that underpins most services including your passport and SIM. BVN can be enrolled alongside NIN or separately. When you come to us, we can advise on the best order based on your specific situation.
Yes. We provide NIN registration (adults £50, children £40) and BVN enrolment / NIN-BVN linkage from our UK and Germany centres. Book one appointment for both where possible.