How To Apply for National Identity Number (NIN)

It is now mandatory for every Nigerian – home and abroad- to have a unique 11-digit identity number, according to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Very soon, the Federal Government may attach every benefits and privilege to the NIN.

Already, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators to block any line that isn’t connected to NIN. So, urge you to link your NIN to your phone numbers.

If you already registered, use the USSD code *346# to get your NIN.

Requirements for NIMC

Usually, you work straight into NIMC office to pick the form, fill and submit or download the registration form before leaving home. Kindly pay attention to details when you’re filling the form so as to avoid applying for a correction of NIN data when your NIN slip is out.

But we’ve got a report that you could be asked to produce the any of the following means of identification:

• Driver’s License
• Voter’s card (Temporary or Permanent)
• International passport
• Certificate of Origin
• Attestation letter from a prominent ruler in your community
• Birth certificate
• Declaration of age

Can I register for NIN online?

You can ONLY download the application form online, the biometrics is done by the accredited NIMC agent or visit any NIMC registration centre closer to you. There are also NIN registration centres abroad for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Application Process

However, it is also designed in such a way that you can begin the process online by following the process:

• Step 1: Head straight to NIMC portal to download the enrolment form
• Step 2: Fill all forms in block letters
• Step 3: Head straight to the closest registration centre for biometrics capturing

The biometrics enables the agency to process your National Identification Number (NIN) and handover the print out to you before you get the National Identity Card.

How long does it take to get the NIN Slip?

There is no time frame for issuance of National Identification Number (NIN) Slip. Sometimes, two to three business working days from the time the biometric details are captured at enrolment centres.

However, we’ve seen applicants you got the slip a few minutes after biometric capturing while some waited for weeks or even months, depending on the amount you paid at the point of registration. NIMC claims it’s free, but findings show that the cost of NIN registration ranges between N500 to N3,000 or more.

Note:

Kindly keep your slip carefully because you may have to produce the tracking ID for collection of the National ID card.

When will my National ID card be ready?

Collection of Nigeria’s National ID card may take 2 years or more, it took the writer of this guide three years before he received the card.

Some people have had to stay for longer years.

An applicant on Twitter said he had stay for four years with no hope of getting the card. he vet his anger on the agency.

I don’t think @nimc_ng is serious about anything until I receive the card I registered for 4years ago. They can go ahead and deactivate sim cards let those that have registered call only themselves.

So, you will have to keep checking. Sometimes you won’t receive any message from NIMC that your card is ready for collection.

How will I know if my card is ready?

A text message would be sent to you by NIMC when your card is ready. Alternatively, you can check if your NIMC national ID is ready for pick up on its portal.

Note: To get National ID card in Nigeria, the first step you must take is registration for NIN.