Nigeria: NIMC Introduces Mobile App for Nigerians to Update NIN Details

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched a mobile application designed to facilitate modifications of data associated with the National Identification Number (NIN).

Through the mobile app, Nigerians now have the convenience of correcting inaccuracies in their NIN records, including name, date of birth, and phone numbers, as announced by the commission in a recent statement.

The application, accompanied by an online portal, offers users the option to register for the service. Upon registration, users are prompted to input their NIN, last name, and email address before accessing the data modification feature.

Previously, amending data linked to the NIN posed significant challenges for Nigerians, often resulting in long queues at NIMC offices nationwide. Many individuals sought corrections or updates to their NIN data, a process that was further complicated by associated fees introduced in 2021.

Under the previous fee structure, NIMC required payments ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦15,000 for various correction services, including name modifications, address updates, card renewals, and date of birth amendments, as outlined by Funmi Opensanwo, the NIMC regional coordinator in Alausa, Lagos.

However, the introduction of fees led to allegations of extortion by some NIMC officials, particularly concerning the mandatory linkage of NIN to SIM cards. In response, NIMC clarified that the fees were legitimate charges for correction services, payable to the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

In line with regulatory directives, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) mandated all mobile networks to ensure that phone numbers are linked to NIN, with extensions of this requirement to bank accounts. Non-compliance with NIN linkage risks suspension of mobile lines and bank accounts, as per the directives of the NCC.

The introduction of the NIMC mobile app represents a significant step towards streamlining the process of updating NIN details, offering Nigerians a user-friendly platform to manage their identification information efficiently and effectively.