Register For National Identity Card In Nigeria (NIN, NIMC) – National Identity Management Commission (“NIMC”) was established in 2007 pursuant to the NIMC Act to create, manage, maintain and operate a unified National Identity Database for Nigeria.
To this end, the NIMC, which replaced the defunct Department of National Civic Registration, is required to carry out the registration of all registrable persons in Nigeria and thereafter issue a General Multipurpose Identity Card (“National Identity Card”) to each registered person.
A national identity card is a portable document, typically a plasticized card with digitally-embedded information, that someone is required or encouraged to carry as a means of confirming their identity.
Since the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11, 2001, many countries have discussed issuing national identity cards as a way to distinguish terrorists from the law-abiding population.
NIMC operates and regulates matters of national identity in Nigeria with services covering National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment and issuance, National e-ID card issuance, identity verification as well as data harmonization and authentication.
To this effect and to Register For National Identity Card, we encourage applicant to enroll for their NIN as per the procedure explained below for speedy progress of their applications.
What Is 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.
- The National Identification Number (NIN) consists of 11 non- intelligible numbers randomly chosen and assigned to an individual at the completion of enrolment into the National Identity Database (NIDB).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- All citizens and legal residents in Nigeria, from age zero (birth) and above are eligible to enrol for their NINs.
- The NIN should be closely guarded by individuals and not revealed to all and sundry except to relevant authorities when requested (for instance it shouldn’t be disclosed online over social media and should not be printed along with contact details on business cards or other office stationery).
How To Do National ID Card Pre-Enrolment (Online)
This is the “do it yourself whenever and wherever you are” process of enrolment.
For this option of the enrolment process, the applicant should visits the official website of NIMC (www.nimc.gov.ng) and pre-enrolls online using the Pre-enrolment Portal (https://penrol.nimc.gov.ng/),
Filling in his/her data in block letters, then prints out a summary sheet that has a 2D Barcode. It is important to note that the Online Pre-Enrolment is an initial step in the enrolment process.
The enrolment is only completed after the applicant gets his or her biometric data (fingerprints, headshot photograph and signature) captured and processed by an Enrolment Officer at any NIMC Enrolment Centre.
Downloading and Using the Enrolment Form
Rather than filling in the online pre-enrolment form and printing out a summary sheet with the 2D barcode, an applicant can also download the Enrolment Form to print out and fill.
To download your enrolment form online go to www.nimc.gov.ng. Fill all forms in block letters and proceed to the nearest enrolment Centre for biometrics capturing in order to obtain the National Identification Number (NIN). Note: you can also pick up an enrolment form at NIMC’S ERC.
Below is an illustrated summary of the online pre-enrolment process:
Step 1
Applicant visits NIMC website to access the Pre-Enrolment Portal: https://penrol.nimc.gov.ng and the online Enrolment Form.
Step 2
Applicant fills the Enrolment Form online, prints out a summary sheet with a 2D Barcode and heads to any NIMC Enrolment Centre.
Step 3
Applicant verifies and confirms the enrolment data on the system.
Step 4
Applicant has his/her headshot photograph, fingerprints and signature captured.
Step 5
Applicant has his/her supporting documents scanned.
Step 6
Applicant’s enrolment is acknowledged; two slips are generated and given to the applicant: (a) Transaction Slip (b) NIN Slip indicating completion of enrolment.
Eligibility For NIN
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.
Can I Register For National Identity Card Twice?
Enrolment for the NIN is Once in a Lifetime. Once you enroll and your National Identification Number (NIN) is presented to you, the Automated Biometric Information System (ABIS) will store all your information supplied and any attempt to enroll again by the same person will be detected and this a punishable offence.
Therefore, enroll once and be identified for life.
How To Collect Your National Identity Card
1. At the completion of the enrolment process, applicant will be issued two (2) slips:
(a) Transaction Slip
2. 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.
- NIN can only be collected by an individual after biometric verification and not by proxy.
Read Also:
- Linking NIN To Your SIM Card After or During Registration (Step By Step).
- Fastest Way To Link NIN With Your MTN & Airtel Number.
- Easy Way To Link and Verify 9mobile Number With NIN.
- Nigerian Universities That Embark On ASUU Strike Presently (Full List).
- List Of Latest Highest Paid African Football Players.
How To Register For National Identity Card
Step 1: Fill up the pre-enrolment form online, download and print Pre Enrolment Slip
- Fill the NIMC Pre Enrolment online form by visiting Pre Enrolment Portal
- All the mandatory fields need to be completely filled with correct information.
- Download and print your Pre Enrolment Slip
Step 2: Submit Your Application
- Walk into the nearest NIMC Registration Centre with any one of the following Original and Valid supporting documents.
- At Enrolment Center you will be directed to a counter where our Enrolment Officer will verify the presence and compliance of all details of your application.
- If your application is in order, Enrolment officer will guide you to proceed with the capture of biometrics (ten finger prints and facial image) and you will collect the Transaction ID Slip as an evidence of the transaction.
Step 3: NIN issuance
- The normal time frame for issuance of National Identification Number (NIN) Slip is 2 to 3 working days from the time the biometric details are captured at enrolment centers.
- The issuance of NIN may take longer in certain cases due to validation of details at NIMC. VFS has no role to play to expedite for such cases.
- The Transaction ID Slip is required to be stored carefully by applicant as it is required to be presented at the time of collection of NIN Slip indicating completion of enrolment
Note:
- Applicants who cannot read nor write should be accompanied by a literate individual who can do the form filling for him/her.
- Minor applicants should be accompanied by parents / guardians can do the form filling for them.
- Minor applicants should only bring original and valid birth certificate and NIN slip of one of the Nigerian Parent / Guardian.
Required Documents
Walk into the nearest NIMC Registration Centre with your BVN number (if you have one) and any one of the below Original and Valid Supporting Document
Nigerian International Passport (should be valid on the date of NIN enrollment)
Birth Certificate
Attestation letter from the Nigerian Embassy / Mission
Why You Need Your NIN
You have a phone number so people can contact you. Get your National Identification Number so people can IDENTIFY you.
It is used to match you with your biometric data and other details in the National Identity Database during verification and authentication.
The NIN is set to be used for all transactions in Nigeria requiring identity verification so you’ll be using your NIN for
- 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.
NIMC Office Locations & Contacts
- National Identity Management Commission.
The Director General / Chief Executive
National Identity Management Commission
11 Sokode Crescent, Off Dalaba Street
Zone 5, Wuse
P. M. B. 18, Garki Abuja
Phone: +234-9-6726457
Mobile: +0700 2255 646
Fax: +234-9-5230637
E-mail: info@nimc.gov.ng
- or send e-mail to
customercare@nimc.gov.ng
You can register in any of the center using the following link http://www.nimc.gov.ng/?q=nin-registration-centers
National Electronic Identity Card (e-ID Card)- How To Apply.
After the important 11-digit NIN has been obtained by an individual, a card comes next as an additional token. The National Electronic Identity Card (e-ID card) is a chip based card with multiple functions.
As mentioned earlier, the card is a token given upon successful enrolment or registration into the National Identity System.
Persons Eligible for the National e-ID Card
Unlike the National Identification Number (NIN) which is assignable to all Nigerians and Legal Residents without any age restrictions, the National e-ID Card can only be issued to Nigerians registered into the National Identity System and Legal Residents who have attained the age of 16 years and above.
It is important to note that the 11-digit National Identification Number (NIN) is not the same thing as the National e-ID Card which is a physical token.
- The NIN can be used on its own for digital identity verification without the e-ID card.
- The e-ID card cannot be used on its own for digital identity verification without the NIN first being stored within its chip.
- The number printed on the e-ID card is not the NIN but the PAN (Primary Account Number) used for accessing the card’s payment feature once activated.
Functions of the New National e-ID Card
The e-ID card has provisions for 13 applets out of which five (5) is activated at the point of
collecting the card.
The five (5) active applets are:
- Electronic Identity Information (e-ID)
- EMV Payment
- Verification – Match-on-Card
- Security – Electronic Public Key Infrastructure (ePKI)
- Travel – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The remaining eight (8) applets will be implemented in subsequent phases. These are:
- e-Health Application
- e-Pension Application
- e-Voting Application
- e-Taxation Application
- e-Drivers’ License Application
- e-Transport Application
- e-SIM Application
- e-Insurance Application
The applets are designed to facilitate interactions of individuals with Government and with Institutions using the National e-ID Card to be able to assess wide range of services. The card is smart and trendy with relevant security features to forestall fraudulent activities.
