Following instructions from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian banks have been sending messages to their customers to link their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to their accounts to avoid being restricted.
One part of the exercise that has got many bank customers confused is the request for virtual NIN by the banks. Until now, many are only familiar with the regular 11-digit NIN issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
What Is Virtual NIN Or vNIN?
The Virtual NIN is also a tokenized version of the person’s actual NIN which another party verifying the number cannot retain and use in a way that puts the individual’s data privacy at risk.
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A virtual NIN (vNIN) is a temporary, 16-digit alphanumeric code that acts as a secure alternative to your permanent 11-digit NIN. It’s designed to protect your privacy when verifying your identity with banks and other institutions.
The virtual NIN consists of a set of 16 alphanumeric characters. According to NIMC, this number expires 72 hours after being generated. An example of a vNIN is: AB012345678910YZ.
What Is Virtual NIN Used For?
You can use the Virtual NIN when digitally verifying your identity with a verifying agent or enterprise who needs to confirm your identity before offering you a service (banks, airports, shopping delivery, and so on).
Banks often request a vNIN during the account linking process to safeguard your sensitive NIN information. It allows them to confirm your identity without permanently storing your actual NIN.
How To Get 16-Character Virtual NIN?
There are two basic ways, you can generate your 16-character vNIN.
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Using USSD code or NIMC Mobile App, you can easily generate your 16-character vNIN without any stress.
How To Generate Virtual NIN Using USSD Code
Dial *346*3*Your NIN*AgentCode# (use your bank’s agent code if they provide one)
You’ll receive an SMS with your generated vNIN.
How To Generate Virtual NIN Using NIMC App
Launch the MWS Mobile ID app installed on your device (Android or iOS). Make sure you have the current version of the app installed or updated on your mobile device.
Enter your PIN on the lock screen to continue.
Select the “GET VIRTUAL NIN” button on the “Home” screen.
Read through the “Enhanced Data Privacy” text.
Then click on the button with the “+” sign on the bottom right corner of the screen to start the process of generating a Virtual NIN for the verifying Enterprise you are dealing with.
Tap on any of the available options to either scan the Enterprise’s QR code or type in the Enterprise’s ID.
A Virtual NIN is generated for you to use specifically with that verifying Enterprise alone. Present the vNIN to the Enterprise for verification.
Receive a notification once verification is completed by the Enterprise.
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How To Get Agent Code For NIN
You can only get agent code from the bank or enterprises that needs to verify your identity. This means that each banking institution, enterprises, airports, shopping delivery has their own unique special “agent code”.
Conclusion:
vNIN is a safe and secure way to undergo NIN verification. The 16-digit unique number is easy to generate through the app or via USSD code.
Note that the vNIN can only be used for verification by the company it was generated for.
-ONEWS
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