In a landmark move aimed at deepening financial inclusion and reconnecting the Nigerian diaspora with the country’s financial system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), has officially unveiled the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN), a secure digital platform that enables Nigerians living abroad to obtain a BVN from anywhere in the world.
The new framework, launched amid growing calls to accommodate the millions of Nigerians outside the country’s borders, is designed to address long-standing challenges around identity verification and banking access for citizens in the diaspora. With the NRBVN, Nigerians overseas can now seamlessly open and operate bank accounts in Nigeria without needing to physically return home for biometric enrollment.
According to the CBN, the initiative is part of broader financial sector reforms to ensure universal financial access, boost diaspora remittances, and strengthen the credibility of cross-border banking transactions. The Bank noted that the NRBVN platform is embedded with multi-layered security features, making it both compliant with global standards and uniquely tailored to Nigeria’s identity infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch, CBN officials emphasized that the digital gateway will also help reduce fraudulent activities, enable diaspora investment, and enhance transparency in the Nigerian banking system. The apex bank further disclosed that the service will be rolled out through approved partner banks and NIBSS-accredited enrolment agents, with interfaces designed to support easy verification and onboarding.
Reacting to the development, financial analysts described the NRBVN as a strategic game-changer for diaspora engagement. With over 17 million Nigerians living abroad, and remittances contributing more than $20 billion annually to the Nigerian economy (according to World Bank data), the system is expected to facilitate smoother banking relationships and fuel broader economic participation.
Diaspora Nigerians, particularly professionals, students, and retirees, have long faced hurdles in accessing banking services back home, largely due to identity documentation constraints. The new digital channel is expected to eliminate those bottlenecks while reinforcing Nigeria’s push toward a digitized and inclusive economy.
The CBN has urged Nigerians abroad to take advantage of the NRBVN initiative, assuring them of data protection, ease of use, and full integration with the existing banking infrastructure in Nigeria.
As the digital transformation of the country’s financial sector continues, the NRBVN stands as a pivotal step toward bringing every Nigerian — regardless of their location — into the fold of economic opportunity and financial security.
