CSOs Seek Review Of Restrictions On Changing BVN‑linked Phone Numbers

Civil society organisations and digital rights advocates have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review restrictions limiting changes to phone numbers linked to Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), warning that the policy could undermine financial inclusion and violate data protection rights.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Executive Director of Digicivic Initiative, Mojirayo Ogunlana   expressed concern that restricting BVN-linked phone number changes to a single instance would infringe on the rights of Nigerians under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), particularly the right to correct inaccurate or outdated personal data.

Mojirayo Ogunlana    who read the speech on behalf of several civil society organisations and digital rights groups, urged the CBN to adopt a more balanced and risk-based approach that would permit multiple phone number updates while maintaining strong safeguards against fraud.

The other CSOs include TAP Initiative, Avocats Sans Frontières France, Centre for Information Technology and Development, Accountability Lab, HerNG Initiative and Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development.

She acknowledged the efforts of the apex bank to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system and combat fraud, identity theft and other financial crimes within the country’s growing digital economy.

However, she said: “The ability to update personal information is a continuing right and an essential component of data accuracy, security and access to services,” the groups stated.

According to them, Nigerians may need to change their phone numbers several times due to legitimate reasons such as loss or theft of SIM cards, security breaches, relocation, changing telecommunications providers, or evolving personal and professional needs.

She warned that the restriction could create long-term inaccuracies in the BVN system and prevent citizens from securely accessing banking and digital financial services.

The organisations further argued that the policy could disproportionately affect vulnerable and mobile populations, create barriers to financial inclusion and weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s digital identity and financial systems.

Mojirayo Ogunlana    stressed that a people-centred financial ecosystem should allow individuals to maintain reasonable control over identity-related data used for authentication and access to digital services.

Among the measures proposed were enhanced identity verification procedures, risk-based monitoring mechanisms for frequent changes, stronger audit trails, improved authentication systems and more robust fraud detection measures.

The groups also called for stronger collaboration between the CBN and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to ensure financial regulations align with national data protection obligations and international best practices.

They further demanded transparent and accessible remediation pathways for customers facing difficulties updating or recovering BVN-linked credentials, including appeals processes and human review mechanisms where necessary.

“As Nigeria’s financial and public service infrastructure becomes increasingly digitised, BVN-linked authentication systems now function as critical gateways to economic participation,” she said.

The organisations warned that rigid restrictions could exclude citizens from accessing banking, payments, savings, credit and other essential financial services, especially vulnerable persons facing insecurity, displacement, device loss or unstable telecommunications access.

They also urged the CBN to publish the evidence base, stakeholder consultations and risk assessments that informed the current restriction, insisting that policies affecting access to financial systems should be transparent, evidence-based and proportionate.