Everything you need to know about National Identity Number (NIN) are outlined below
What is NIN?
NIN simply means National Identification Number. It consists of 11 non- intelligible numbers randomly chosen and assigned to an individual after the completion of enrolment into the National Identity Database (NIDB).
Once a NIN is assigned to an individual, it can never be reassigned, given or used by another person – that makes it unique in nature. In the case of the demise of an individual, his/her NIN is retired once a death certificate is presented to the Commission and the individual’s death is established.
The NIN is used to tie all records about an individual in the database and is also used to establish or verify his/her identity. All citizens and legal residents in Nigeria, from age zero (birth) and above are eligible to enroll for their NINs.
How to Check if you already have a NIN
The first step before you proceed to register to get your NIN is to check if you already have one. To know this, with the phone used to register for the NIN, Dial *346# on your phone to retrieve your NIN. Once your NIN is displayed, you can either screenshot it, or note it down somewhere. Please note that you’re not to share your NIN information on any social media platform. You can however share it when requested by trusted institutions. Getting your NIN by failing *346# is totally FREE OF CHARGE on all the Nigerian Mobile Networks including MTN, AIRTEL, GLO and 9mobile.
Why you need your NIN
The National Identification Number (NIN) is the unique number for your identification. It is used to match you with your biometric data and other details in the National Identity Database during verification and authentication.
The NIN is set to be used for all transactions in Nigeria requiring identity verification such as
- obtaining your National e-ID card
- travel (international passport application & acquisition)
- opening personal bank accounts
- getting your driver’s license
- obtaining your Permanent Voters’ Card
- participating in the National Health Insurance Scheme
- payment of your taxes
- transactions related to your contributory pension scheme
- access to welfare and other relevant services from the Nigerian Government
- transactions with social security implications
- land transactions subject to the Land Use Act
- any other transactions NIMC may so prescribe and list in the Federal Government Gazette
NIN Registration Process: If you don’t already have
Supporting Documents
Walk into the nearest NIMC Enrolment Centre with your BVN if you have one and any of the following required Original and Valid supporting documents:
- Old National ID Card
- Driver’s License
- Voter’s card (Temporary or Permanent)
- Nigerian International passport
- Certificate of Origin
- Attestation letter from a prominent ruler in your community
- Birth certificate
- Declaration of age
- Attestation letter from religious/traditional leader
- NHIS ID card
- Government staff ID card
- Registered/recognized private organization staff ID card
- School ID Card (private/public)
- Tax Clearance certificate
- Valid immigration documents
Registration at an Enrolment Centre:
The whole process of registration can be carried out at an enrolment centre. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, you will be required to book a schedule for your enrolment. However, to limit the amount of time you will spend at the enrolment centre, you can download, print and complete the enrolment form at (https://nimc.gov.ng/), then proceed to an enrolment centre to complete the rest of the registration steps.
STEPS
- Applicants are to walk into the enrolment Centre with a supporting document.
- Applicant will be verified to ascertain if he/she has ever enrolled using the NIN verification portal.
- Applicant will be issued an enrolment form to fill if he/she has not enrolled before. OR the printed Barcode slip (for those who applied online) will be collected if the applicant had pre-enrolled earlier using the pre-enrolment service.
- Applicant’s forms will be vetted by a NIMC Official to crosscheck the information filled on the form against the supporting document provided and to check for errors/mistake filled on the form. Note: applicants who cannot read nor write should be accompanied by a literate individual who can do the form filling for him/her.
- Applicant’s pre-filled information will be inputted on the NIMC Software by a NIMC enrolment officer or the Barcode slip will be scanned by the NIMC enrolment officer to populate all the required field.
- The enrolment officer will ask the applicant to double check his/her information for errors using the applicant monitor.
- If the applicant is satisfied with his/her demographic information, the biometrics (ten finger prints and facial image) of the applicant will be capture subsequently.
- After completing the enrolment, a Transaction ID Slip will be issued to the applicant as an evidence of the transaction. However, the Transaction slip does not confer the right to National Identification Number. The applicant will be requested to come back for the NIN within 1-5 working days, as it is subjected to availability of network, authentication and verification.
- A National Identification Number (NIN) Slip is issued to the applicants after processing.
- The National e-ID Card will be Issued to applicant within 12months after Issuance of NIN barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Service Fee: ENROLMENT IS FREE
Availability: Monday – Friday (9a.m. to 1p.m.)
Note :
- Minor applicants (0-15 years of age) should be accompanied by parents / guardians and can do the form filling for them.
- Minor applicants should only bring original and valid birth certificate and NIN slip of one of the Nigerian Parent / Guardian.
- The National e-ID Card will not be issued to minors until they become 16 years of age and above.
- In the case of a minor, after completion of enrollment, a text message will automatically be sent to the Applicant, Parent or guardian to come for update when they become 16 years of age.
