CBN extends BVN registration for military

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved an extension for the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) registration for serving military operatives in the country.

This is to enable them concentrate on the fight against insurgency and still access their salaries.

Suleiman Barau, deputy governor, operations of the apex bank, told Senate Committee on Appropriation on Monday that the CBN had received the request of the Defense Minister in that regard.

Barau, who appeared before the Committee alongside other relevant stakeholders concerned with the 2015 Supplementary budget of N465 billion, said the bank understood the plight of the military operatives.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Dan-Ali had earlier pleaded with the Senate Committee to intervene and direct that BVN registration for military operatives, especially in the war front, be extended.

He said the soldiers and their families were going through a hard time, as they could not access their salaries due to BVN registration deadline of October 31.

Dan-Ali said the soldiers could not abandon their duty at the war front to go for the registration and they should not be further punished by denying them access to their account.

He said: “Our soldiers in the field cannot access their money because of the BVN. Our soldiers should be given extension so that they and their family can access their salary.

“We need to appeal to the CBN governor if that can be done as it will enhance the morale of our soldiers.”

Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Danjuma Goje had also sought for a special extension of the exercise to the military.