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Frequently Asked Questions


The National Identification Number (NIN) consists of 11 numbers randomly chosen and assigned to an individual after the completion of enrolment into the National Identity Database (NIDB).

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), along with approved vendors, is registering all Nigerians, whether they are in Nigeria or abroad. This is being done to ensure that Nigerians living outside the country can also enjoy the advantages of being part of the National Identity Database. Nigerians residing outside Nigeria can conveniently submit their applications at the nearest enrollment centre by scheduling an appointment.

The fees for diaspora registration are used for infrastructure, operational, administrative costs, and other expenses incurred by providing services to Nigerians living abroad. Diaspora partners or accredited vendors of NIMC cover these costs, while the government subsidizes them in Nigeria. Therefore, the partners charge the recommended fees for diaspora enrollment. This ensures that Nigerians in the diaspora can benefit from being included in the National Identity Database.

The allocated amount of $20 – $70 USD for the enrolment of Nigerians in Diaspora is mandated by NIMC to cover for all expenses incurred by the enrolment process. This fee is solely for the purpose of this registration only.

The NIN is being harmonized with BVN (biometric verification number) for Nigeria bank accounts, but not to non-Nigerian bank accounts.

  1. Contact the enrolment centre.
  2. Complete the form for modification and upload the following documents
    • An application letter detailing the change(s) with cogent reasons for the change(s).
    • Documentary evidence of the correct date/month or year of birth certified by a notary public (e.g. Sworn Affidavit, Newspaper Publication etc.)
  3. Pay the required fees
  4. Print or save (on your phone/device) the acknowledgement generated
  5. Await the decision of the governing board within 7 (seven) working days.

Yes you can use your expired passport provided you have a secondary, valid, and current government-issued proof of identity, with details matching the expired passport. For example a Drivers license

Yes, you do need to register. The NIN that’s associated with your BVN is only reserved and not validated. It only becomes valid after you are registered and have your biometrics captured in the NIMC database. So if someone already has a BVN, we check if such person, has a NIN reserved or not. If they do, we complete the process by adding their information and biometrics to the NIN database. If they do not have a NIN reserved, we register them.

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. 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.

The NIN is not temporary, it is permanent. It does not expire. It is the identity of the person issued for life and only rested on the death of the person. 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.

All citizens and legal residents in Nigeria, from age zero (birth) and above are eligible to enrol for their NINs.

NIN Enrollment 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.

The specific steps are as follows:

  1. Have documents to confirm your Nigerian citizenship. This is your Nigerian passport, your parent’s passport or an authentication letter from the Nigerian Embassy/Mission in your country of residence.
  2. Complete the pre-enrollment form online or at our location. 
  3. Book your appointment online for the biometric data capture at the address indicated for your country of residence and save evidence of payment
  4. Take along passport, evidence of payment and the 2D Barcode to the office address provided.
  5. On arrival, your height measurement will be taken, and you will be asked to review your information. Once the review is completed, your biometrics (10 fingerprints, facial picture and signature) will be taken.
  6. Your passport and supporting documents will be scanned.
  7. Your enrollment will be sent to the NIMC Back-end and a transaction slip will be issued to you.
  8. If there is no issue with your registration (i.e. your biometrics does not conflict with any another in the database, your NIN will be generated and sent back to the enrollment center. Thereafter the enrollment officer will issue your NIN to you.
  9. If there is a conflict, (your biometric resembles another in the database), the enrollment officer will need to contact the Database Team in Abuja to sort out the issue. In many cases, the enrollment data has been transmitted to the database through the ongoing harmonization of data with other federal government agencies & the BVN

The numbers are auto generated and issued by NIMC from their database in Abuja in Nigeria

Passport data capture is incomplete, it is only for passport use. NIMC data is for all purposes like future passport capture, driver's license, voter registration. The NIN is used by Nigerians in Nigeria and abroad for public services. In Addition, NIMC is the legal custodian of civil identity in Nigeria, responsible for identifying and verifying Nigerians.

Biometrics are unique physical characteristics like fingerprints, facial structure, iris, or voice. They are collected quickly and discreetly using a digital camera for facial images and a digital finger scanner for fingerprint scans.

The biometric enrolment is processed during enrolment of NIN application and takes up to 10 minutes.

Yes, we can support you at the enrolment center at nominal cost. Please schedule an appointment and walk in to the nearest Enrolment Centre where you will be guided on correctly filling the Enrolment Form.

You need to present your supporting documents at the point of enrolment. As a part of enrolment process, your supporting documents will be scanned and immediately returned to you.

Your details will be vetted by Enrolment Officer to crosscheck the information filled on the pre-enrolment form against the supporting document provided by you.

In case of mismatch you will have to re-apply for a new application with the correct information.

The Transaction ID Slip serves as proof of the transaction made at the enrolment center. If your application is correct, the enrolment officer will assist you in capturing your biometrics (ten fingerprints and facial image) and give you the Transaction ID Slip.

It is important for the applicant to keep the Transaction ID Slip safe, as it will be needed when collecting the NIN Slip to confirm the completion of enrolment.

You will receive an Email (SMS if opted for SMS service) notification that your NIN Slip has been generated.

You can ideally collect your NIN slips at the same enrolment centers where you enrolled, but in certain circumstances they can request the NINs be transferred to other centers of your choice.