The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all acquirers, processors, and Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) to implement dual connectivity for point of sale (PoS) transactions within one month, as part of efforts to strengthen transaction reliability and reduce service disruptions.

 

 

 

In a circular dated December 11, 2025, signed by Rakiya Yusuf, the CBN’s director of the payments system supervision department, the apex bank stated: “Mandatory Dual Connectivity –All Acquirers, Processors, and Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) shall establish and maintain active connectivity with both licensed Payments Terminal Service Aggregators (PTSAs), namely the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL).”

 

 

 

The directive also requires that all transaction routing systems be integrated with both aggregators to ensure uninterrupted processing and automatic failover whenever one platform experiences downtime. The CBN explained that routing systems must be able to switch seamlessly between the two providers to prevent transaction failures during disruptions.

 

 

 

To ensure the redundancy works effectively, the CBN further mandated periodic testing. It said: “Testing & Validation – NIBSS and UPSL, in collaboration with regulated Financial institutions, shall conduct periodic tests to validate redundancy, failover effectiveness, and overall system resilience.”

 

 

 

The apex bank also instructed both NIBSS and UPSL to provide immediate notice of any disruption and follow up with formal reporting to the regulator. According to the circular: “NIBSS and UPSL are required to notify Director, Payments System Supervision Department, of any system downtime or service disruption affecting its platforms and services within 24 hours of the occurrence, stating the nature, causes and remedied actions.”

 

 

 

The CBN added that all regulated financial institutions must meet the deadline, stressing that they are required to “comply with this directive within one (1) month from the date of this circular”.