The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered all acquirers, processors, and payment terminal service providers to implement mandatory dual connectivity with both the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL) for point-of-sale transactions. The directive gives industry operators a strict one-month deadline, signaling the apex bank’s push to strengthen the reliability and resilience of Nigeria’s payment ecosystem.

The order was conveyed in a circular dated December 11, 2025, and signed by Rakiya Yusuf, Director of the Payments System Supervision Department at the CBN. According to the circular, the move is aimed at reducing transaction failures, improving service uptime, and eliminating overdependence on a single switching platform that has often led to widespread PoS disruptions across the country.

Industry stakeholders say the policy could significantly improve customer experience if fully implemented, though concerns remain about compliance timelines and infrastructure readiness. The directive underscores the CBN’s increasing focus on tightening payment system oversight as digital transactions continue to surge nationwide. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news details and follow us on all our social media platforms.