Self-Certification Forms: Nigerians Drag Buhari’s Govt Over New Policy

President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration has been attacked by Nigerians over the newly reeled out compulsory registration of Self-Certification Forms.

Brandnewsday reports that President Buhari’s administration had on Thursday requested that all Nigerians with accounts in all financial institutions must obtain, complete and submit Self–Certification Forms.

Meanwhile, the forms are required by the relevant financial institutions to do due diligence procedures in line with the Income Tax Regulations 2019.

The Nigerian government, therefore, announced that failure to adhere to this instruction will draw sanctions, which may come with a monetary penalty or restriction to operate the account.

However, the government policy has not come down well on many Nigerian which has led to heavy criticisms from Nigerians on the popular micro-blogging platform— Twitter, accusing the government of always making life hard for Nigerians.

Reacting to the development, some Nigerians questioned the importance of BVN and National ID card if every account holder needs to fill out a self-certification form despite the ravaging of the COVID-19.

Self-Certification Forms

Below are some of the reactions that boomed from some Tweeps (Twitter users)

@Omojuwa: “ Na you do National ID card, na you do SIM registration, you even did Bank Verification Number to align accounts but you are here again talking “Self-Certification. Even if you are confused about running a government, can you at least pretend not to be confused?”

@Ogbenidipo: “ Small-time, they will ask us to go and bring the left finger of our dead grandmothers. Because after BVN, Drivers Licence, International Passport, Birth Certificate, SIM registration, National ID card, I don’t know what else they want.”

@OfficialMrSeun: “All the above mentioned have all our biometrics and facial recognition. What the heck is self-certification?”

@OkusegunVerdict: “ BVN. Driver’s license. National ID card. INEC registration. International passport. Biometrics were taken in all these places. So, what is the meaning of this?

@Victor_Terhemba: “ This has got to be the most stupid government in the entire world. Why couldn’t the FG mandate the banks or FIRS to provide an online platform where customers can fill this form? And since we have BVN linked to all accounts, you don’t have to fill the form multiple times.”

@Mccoyinnocent: “ They will even ask us to submit our death certificates by ourselves.”

@IamWakajeje: “Obtain, complete, and submit a SELF – CERTIFICATION FORM? So BVN registration looks like a third-party certification form to you guy? We are in 2020 for Christ sake, you guys should have senses.”