CBN Gives Operators One Month to Implement Dual PoS Connectivity

Nigeria’s payment system may soon experience fewer failed transactions as the Central Bank of Nigeria has given financial institutions just one month to implement mandatory dual PoS connectivity. The directive was issued through a new circular dated 11 December 2025 and signed by Rakiya Yusuf, Director of the Payments System Supervision Department.

The update replaces a September 2024 policy and responds to the frequent downtime that continues to frustrate merchants and customers. The bank said the new structure would limit heavy dependence on any single transaction route. According to the circular, “under the new rule, all acquirers, processors and payment terminal service providers must maintain active links with both the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL).”

The CBN noted that the approach is designed to stabilise the country’s increasingly busy payment infrastructure. The bank also explained that regular redundancy and failover tests must now be carried out. The circular stated that NIBSS and UPSL would work with regulated institutions to confirm that systems can support uninterrupted service. These results will also become part of CBN’s oversight activity.

How Dual PoS Connectivity Will Change Daily Payments

The new PoS connectivity order introduces stricter reporting rules for the ecosystem. The apex bank said issues must be communicated quickly. As the circular explained, “NIBSS and UPSL must notify banks immediately during any downtime and submit a detailed incident report to the Payments System Supervision Department within 24 hours, outlining the cause, impact and corrective actions taken.”

This shift marks one of the most decisive steps by the regulator to tackle ongoing transaction failures. Although the policy demands a significant adjustment from operators, industry players believe that dual PoS connectivity could reduce delays during busy periods. With more Nigerians relying on electronic payments for daily purchases, reliability has become a key concern for businesses.

The CBN’s effort also follows several interventions aimed at tightening payment-system supervision. Observers say the accelerated 30-day deadline reflects the urgency around improving customer experience during card and terminal transactions.