CBN Issues 1 Month Deadline to PoS Terminal Providers to Connect Systems to NIBSS, UPSL

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all PoS Terminal providers, acquirers, processors, and payment terminal service providers (PTSPs) to implement mandatory dual connectivity with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL) for point of sale (PoS) transactions within one month.

In a circular signed by CBN’s director of the payments system supervision department, Rakiya Yusuf, dated December 11, 2025, the apex bank published the decision. The circular was made public on Friday.

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“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 circular reads.

CBN also stated that all transaction routing systems be integrated with the two PTSAs to ensure uninterrupted, automatic failover in the event of downtime or service disruptions.

“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 financial regulator said.

Additionally, the apex bank instructed NIBSS and UPSL to promptly alert the banks of any disruptions or outages in the system.

“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,” CBN said.

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