Reps call for extension of NIN registration deadline on SIM cards

The federal government had on Tuesday ordered all telecommunication service providers to ask its subscribers to provide their NIN within two weeks.

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission to extend its ultimatum to block phone numbers without National Identification Numbers (NIN) by 10 weeks.

The lawmakers took the decision while adopting a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance by the minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu.

The federal government had on Tuesday ordered all telecommunication service providers to ask its subscribers to provide their NIN within two weeks.

Subscribers who fail to do so within the timeframe are to be blocked from using their SIM cards.

The resolution was reached at a meeting between the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy and stakeholders in the communication industry on Monday.

The resolution was disclosed by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) in a statement on Tuesday.

The major telephone networks in Nigeria are MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and Etisalat.

The meeting affirmed the earlier directive to suspend the registration of new SIM cards by all operators.

Emphasizing the need for the extension, Mr. Elumelu said two weeks was too little for the over 200 million Nigerians, especially considering the Christmas period.

“As laudable as the idea behind the policy may seem, the timing is very wrong because Nigerians have not been properly sensitized, as only a few educated persons who bother to read the dailies might have heard about these instructions.

“Therefore trying to enforce this policy in a period where most Nigerians are gearing up for Christmas festivities may lead to stampede in the process of rushing to get registered which could lead to unnecessary death and injuries.

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

 

What Is It All About

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. 

Once this (de-duplication) process is completed the data is then stored with a unique NIN that was assigned to it. The NIN once issued to a person cannot be used again, (that is, it cannot be issued to another person even if the previous person is dead). It is the NIN that helps to tie all records about a person in the database and is used to check the identity verified.

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. All citizens and legal residents in Nigeria, from age zero (birth) and above are eligible to enroll 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).

Who Should Have NIN

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

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

How to Enrol (Adults)

Those below the age of 16 years have to be enrolled as 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):

1. Applicant walks into the enrolment Centre with a supporting document.
2. The applicant will be verified to ascertain if he/she has ever enrolled using the NIN verification portal.
3. The 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.
4. Applicant’s forms will be vetted by a NIMC Official to crosscheck the information filled on the form against the supporting documentation provided and to check for errors/mistakes 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.
5. 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 fields.
6. The enrolment officer will ask the applicant to double-check his/her information for errors using the applicant monitor.
7. If the applicant is satisfied with his/her demographic information, the biometrics (ten fingerprints and facial image) of the applicant will be capture subsequently.
8. After completing the enrolment, a Transaction ID Slip will be issued to the applicant as evidence of the transaction. However, the Transaction slip does not confer the right to the 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.
9. A National Identification Number (NIN) Slip is issued to the applicants after processing.
10. The National e-ID Card will be issued to the applicant within 12months after the Issuance of NIN barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Service Fee: ENROLMENT IS FREE

Availability: Monday – Friday (8a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Percentage of availability: 95 % (The Remaining 5% can be attributed to upsurge of applicants etc.)

Dependencies:

• Availability of the NIMS Backend.
• Availability of Network for data transmission.
• Availability of power for the enrolment system.

Below is an illustrated summary of the enrolment process:

Minors are not issued with the National Identity cards until they attain the age of 16.

Is It Only For Adult, What About Children?

How to Enrol (Children)

This is the enrolment of every Nigerian and Legal Resident who meets NIMC’s criteria from the age of 0 to 15 years.

Walk into the nearest NIMC Enrolment Centre with any of the following required Original and Valid supporting documents:

Mandatory requirements for minors (Enrolment of Children)

1. Parent/Guardian’s National Identification Number (NIN) Slip ( father, mother or guardian’s NIN ) MUST be provided.
2. Supporting documents and evidence of proof as the Guardian to the minor (if Guardian’s NIN is used).
3. Registered Birth Certificate/ Statutory Age Declaration.
4. All minors MUST be accompanied by at least one of the parents or a Guardian.

Supporting Documents

1. Birth certificate
2. Declaration of age
3. School ID Card private/Public
4. NHIS ID card
5. Nigerian passport
6. Attestation letter from a prominent ruler in the community
7. Attestation letter from religious/traditional leader

Process for capturing minors (0 to 15 years):

• Applicant walks into the enrolment Centre with Their parent/guardian and the required supporting documentation.
• The applicant will be verified to ascertain if he/she has enrolled before through the verification portal.
• The 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 services.
• Applicant forms will be vetted by a NIMC Official to crosscheck the information filled on the form against the supporting documentation provided and to check for errors/mistakes filled on the form.

Note: Parents/Guardians who cannot read nor write should come along with another person who can do the form filling on their behalf.

• Applicant’s pre-filled information will be inputted on the NIMC Software by a NIMC enrolment officer or the Barcode slip be scanned by the NIMC enrolment officer to populate all the required fields.
• The enrolment officer will ask the applicant’s parents to double-check their ward information using the applicant’s monitor to check for errors.
• If the Parent/Guardian is satisfied with the demographics information inputted, the biometrics of the applicant will be captured subsequently.
• After completing the enrolment registration, a Transaction Slip will be issued to the applicant as evidence of the transaction. However, the Transaction slip does not confer the right to the National Identification Number. The applicant will be requested to come back for the NIN within 1-5 working days, as it is subject to the speed/availability of network, authentication, and verification.
• A National Identification Number Slip is issued to the applicant after processing.
• The National e-ID Card will not be issued to these categories of applicants until they become 16 years of age and above.
• A text message will automatically be sent to the Applicant, Parent, or guardian to come for an update when they become 16years of age.

Service Fee: ENROLMENT IS FREE

Availability: Monday – Friday (8a.m. to 4p.m.)

Dependencies:

• Availability of the NIMS Backend.
• Availability of Network for data transmission.
• Availability of power for the enrolment system.

Please it is worthy of note you Do Not Enrol More Than Once.

NIMC Expands Enrolment to Saudi Arabia and Other Countries

Aside From Nigeria, the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) had concluded plans to extend the National Identification Number (NIN) registration to other countries including Saudi Arabia, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Senegal, Benin Republic, Mali, India, amongst others.

NIMC has also chosen major cities where the enrolment has already taken place in stated countries, which have a high population of Nigerians, to ensure that more Nigerians are captured into the National Identity Database (NIDB).

The rollout of additional enrolment centers in these cities is in collaboration with NIMC licensed partners: Dantata Universal Services Nigeria Limited/VFS Global, National e-Authentication/Defcon Systems, and Slogani Consults Limited.

In the Middle East, the Commission has completed plans to start the registration in Saudi Arabia’s two major cities Jeddah and Riyadh; and in Ghana, the exercise takes place in Accra, the capital; Dakar in Senegal; Cotonou and Port Novo in the Benin Republic.

There are also registration centers in Banjul capital of The Gambia, Bamako in Mali, Ndjamena in Chad, Monrovia in Liberia, Lome in Togo, Abidjan in Ivory Coast and Douala in Cameroon.

In Germany, the NIN enrolment center is being deployed in Berlin and Frankfurt, and in Vancouver in Canada, Leicester and London in the United Kingdom and Houston in the United State of America.

The venue for the registration in Jeddah is TasHeel Commercial Plaza, First Floor-Suwaid Bin Sakher Street, Off Jundub Bin Kaab Street, Al Mohammadiyah District 1, Jeddah, KSA.

In Riyadh the enrolment will take place in Shop 2, Zahra Building Umm al Hamam, Opposite Hyper Panda (Dove Plaza), Umm Al Haman Street, Riyadh, KSA.

In Accra, Nigerians can register on the First Floor, Atlantic Towers, Airport City, Accra, Ghana.

While in Dakar, the venue is VFS Global, rez de chausses, Immeuble Atryum Centre, Km 8 route de Ouakam, Dakar, Senegal.

In Cotonou, there are two venues. The first is Satguru Travel & Tours Services, Immeuble Satguru, derriere Espace Dina and the second is Feu de circulation Stade Matheiu Kerekou, rue pavée d’ Agla, 1ère rue à gauche, Immeuble MSS Sarl.

In Porto Novo the venue is Rue Tokpota, en face de project Songhai, rue de l’église catholique Charles Ouganda, immeuble Carrefour le Destin.

The enrolment centers in Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Mali, Chad, Cameroon, Liberia and Benin Republic flagged-off on the 29th July 2019.

In India, registration taking place in three major cities; Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai at the following addresses; Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi- 110001, India; No 74, 3rd Floor, Fagun Towers, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai-600008, India; Urmi Axis Building, Behind Famous Studio, Opp. E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi (West), Mumbai – 400001 and has already been flagged off since on the 31st August 2019.

The Director-General, CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz had said that the enrolment of Nigerians in Diaspora is in fulfillment of the NIMC Mandate to enroll all Nigerians, Legal Residents, and Nigerians in Diaspora into the National Identity Database (NIDB) and issue them the unique identification number, NIN.

The licensed partners include: Biosec Solutions Limited; Slogani Consults Limited; CHAMS Consortium Limited; Defcon Systems Limited/ OIS Services; National eAuthentication Limited/OIS Services; Thebez Global Resources/ Cox & Kings; Dantata Universal Services/VFS Global; Venn Technology Limited;Kevonne Consults Limited/Iris ID Systems INC.; UGS Technologies Limited/OrangeHook African Continental/Carvus; File Solution Limited/ EYE-ID LLC and IRIS Smart Technologies Limited.

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