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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has finalized plans to introduce a self-service application next month, enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to easily enroll for their National Identity Number (NIN).
During a courtesy visit to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, shared insights on the upcoming self-service application in Abuja.
The application, scheduled to go live in February, aims to provide a contactless and seamless experience for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking to obtain their NINs, according to Ayodele Babalola, the Technical Adviser to the DG on media.
As part of the process, NIMC plans to establish a Diaspora Focal Point Desk to ensure the swift resolution of issues within 24 hours. This customer-centric approach is designed to provide efficient support to Nigerians abroad, aligning with the agency’s commitment to quality service delivery.
Babalola emphasized that the initiative reflects the DG’s commitment to enhancing service delivery and creating a hassle-free system for Nigerians abroad. The strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in leveraging technology to improve the accessibility of critical identity services for Nigerians in the diaspora.
Expressing gratitude to the NIMC delegation for the innovative solution, Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged the forward-thinking strategy adopted by Coker-Odusote. She highlighted the significance of the new system, emphasizing its capability to easily link NINs with international passports for Nigerians residing outside the country.
In 2019, NIMC commenced the Diaspora enrolment exercise to capture Nigerians living abroad into the National Identity Database, ensuring they also benefit from obtaining their National Identification Numbers.
According to NIMC’s May 27, 2023, update, the number of diasporan Nigerians in its database reached 427,962, comprising 178,799 females and 249,163 males.
The announcement of the user-friendly app for diaspora NIN registration comes as many Nigerians have expressed concerns about the rigorous registration process and the approaching deadline for the deactivation of phone lines by the Nigerian Communications Commission. The surge in applications is linked to the urgency of revalidating or linking NINs with Subscribers’ Identity Modules, with many applicants anxious about potential phone line deactivation.
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