Nigeria's BVN Database Reaches 68.6 Million in 2026

As of March 2026, Nigeria's Bank Verification Number (BVN) database has reached 68.6 million, indicating a 1.1% increase from 67.8 million at the end of 2025. This growth, reported by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, reflects the ongoing adoption of biometric identification systems within the banking sector.

In the first quarter of 2026, the BVN registry grew by 754,128, continuing a trend of steady expansion. The growth is largely driven by the non-resident BVN (NRBVN) initiative, which allows the Nigerian diaspora to enroll remotely, thereby broadening access to domestic financial systems and enhancing cross-border banking services.

Over the past five years, the BVN framework has shown consistent growth, with enrolment rising from 56 million in 2022 to 68.6 million in 2026. This trend underscores the BVN's critical role in financial inclusion and identity management within Nigeria's banking ecosystem.