How to Check National Identification Number (NIN)

The National Identification Number (NIN) is a set of numbers assigned to an individual upon successful enrolment. Enrolment consists of the recording of an individual’s demographic data and capture of the ten (10) fingerprints, head-to-shoulder facial picture and digital signature, which are all used to cross-check existing data in the National Identity Database to confirm that there is no previous entry of the same data.

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How to Check National Identification Number

Forgotten your NIN? Don’t remember where you kept your NIN slip? Not to worry, NIMC’s USSD service enables you to retrieve your NIN conveniently using your mobile phone.

To use this service, simply go through the following steps:

• dial *346#
• from the options displayed, select “NIN Retrieval”, by typing in ‘1’, if you are using the same phone number you enrolled with for your NIN
• follow the steps displayed on your screen and provide the required inputs
• note that using this service attracts a N20 (tweny naira) fee only (deducted from your phone credit balance).

Eligibility For National Identification Number

It is mandatory for every citizen and legal resident to enrol for the National Identification Number (NIN). The process is the same whether you choose the self-service or you require an assisted service.

How to Enrol For National Identification Number

This is the enrolment of every Nigerian and Legal Resident from the age of 16 years and above.

Those below the age of 16 years have to be enrolled as minors. Read more about Enrolling Minors

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:

1. Old National ID Card
2. Driver’s License
3. Voter’s card (Temporary or Permanent)
4. Nigerian International passport
5. Certificate of Origin
6. Attestation letter from a prominent ruler in your community
7. Birth certificate
8. Declaration of age
9. Attestation letter from religious/traditional leader
10. NHIS ID card
11. Government staff ID card
12. Registered/recognized private organization staff ID card
13. School ID Card (private/public)
14. Tax Clearance certificate
15. Valid immigration documents

Process for capturing applicants of 16 years and above (Adult Enrolment):

• Applicant walks 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 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 (8a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Collection of the NIN

1. At the completion of the enrolment process, applicant will be issued two (2) slips:
2. Transaction Slip
3. NIN Slip indicating completion of enrolment.
4. Applicants ideally collect their NINs at the enrolment centres where they enrolled, but in certain circumstances they can request the NINs be transferred to other centres of their choice.
5. NIN can only be collected by an individual after biometric verification and not by proxy.

Why You Need Your NIN

• 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

NIMC is engaged in harmonization and integration of data with various agencies across Nigeria who deal with the various services above to ensure smooth coordination of activities.