How to Get Your NIN in Nigeria 2026
Complete step-by-step guide to NIN (National Identification Number) registration, enrolment at NIMC offices, required documents, and how to link your NIN to your MTN, Airtel, Glo or 9mobile SIM card.
📄 Table of Contents
What is NIN (National Identification Number)?
The National Identification Number (NIN) is a unique 11-digit number assigned to every Nigerian citizen and legal resident by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). It permanently identifies you in the National Identity Database (NIDB) and links all your demographic and biometric data — fingerprints, facial image and signature.
Your NIN is yours for life. Unlike a phone number or bank account, it never changes and cannot be transferred. It was introduced under the National Identity Management Commission Act of 2007 and has been compulsory for all Nigerians aged 16 and above since 2019.
Important: The NIN is NOT the same as your voter card (PVC) number, BVN (Bank Verification Number) or passport number — though all of these can now be linked to your NIN.
Why You Need Your NIN
The Nigerian government has made NIN mandatory for a growing list of services. Without a NIN, you cannot access the following:
Documents Required for NIN Registration
You need to bring at least one of the following identity documents to the NIMC enrolment centre. Original documents only — photocopies are not accepted for verification, though you may be asked to leave a copy.
Primary Documents (any one)
If you have no primary document — bring any TWO of:
For children under 16: A parent or legal guardian must be present with their own valid NIN. Children receive a Child NIN (Cnin) which upgrades to a full NIN at age 16.
How to Register for NIN — Step by Step
NIN registration (called enrolment) is done at official NIMC offices or approved enrolment agents. The full process typically takes 15–45 minutes on the day, though waiting time at busy offices can be longer.
Pre-register online (optional but recommended)
Visit enrol.nimc.gov.ng to fill your details online before visiting the office. You'll get a reference number that speeds up your in-person visit.
💡 Pre-registration saves up to 30 minutes at the officeLocate your nearest NIMC enrolment centre
Go to nimc.gov.ng and use the office locator, or visit any LGA Secretariat — NIMC has at least one centre in every LGA in Nigeria.
📍 Alternatively, some banks (First Bank, UBA) and telecoms shops serve as NIMC agentsArrive early and bring your documents
NIMC offices open at 8:00 AM. Arriving by 7:30 AM guarantees a low queue number. Bring your original documents and at least one photocopy of each.
🔔 Mondays and Fridays are typically the busiest days — avoid if possibleCollect a queue number and fill the enrolment form
At the centre, collect a token/queue number. You'll be given a paper enrolment form to fill in your personal details: full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and next of kin.
✍️ Write clearly in block letters. Errors on the form cause delaysBiometric capture
An enrolment officer will capture your 10 fingerprints, a facial photograph and your signature. This takes about 5 minutes. Remove rings or bandages from fingers before capture.
💡 If fingerprints are rejected (dry/damaged hands), tell the officer — they have alternate capture methodsDocument verification
The officer verifies your identity documents against the data you provided. Originals are checked and returned to you.
✅ Keep all originals safe — they will not be retainedReceive your Transaction ID
After successful enrolment you receive a Transaction ID (TID) slip — a temporary reference number. Your actual 11-digit NIN is sent to your registered phone number within 3–7 working days.
📱 Keep your TID slip — you need it to track your NIN if it is delayedOnline NIN Pre-Registration
NIMC launched an online pre-registration portal to reduce queue times at physical offices. You complete your personal details online, then visit an enrolment centre only for biometric capture.
Go to the NIMC pre-enrolment portal
Visit enrol.nimc.gov.ng on your phone or computer. The portal works on all browsers.
Create an account
Enter your email address and phone number. A verification code is sent to your phone — enter it to continue.
Fill your personal details
Complete all required fields: full name (as on your birth certificate), date of birth, gender, state of origin, LGA, address, and phone number.
Upload a passport photograph
Upload a recent colour passport photo with white background. Max file size: 200KB. Use a JPEG or PNG file.
Select your preferred enrolment centre
Choose the NIMC office closest to you from the dropdown list.
Download your pre-enrolment slip
After submitting, download or screenshot your pre-enrolment slip. Bring it to the office along with your documents for faster processing.
NIMC Mobile App: You can also pre-register using the official NIMC Mobile App, available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Search "NIMC MWS" (Mobile Web Service). The app also lets you retrieve your NIN if you've already enrolled.
How to Check / Retrieve Your NIN
Already enrolled but can't remember your NIN? Use any of these methods:
Dial *346# (Easiest & Fastest)
Dial *346# on any Nigerian mobile phone. Your NIN will be displayed on screen. Works on all networks — MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile. A small USSD fee (around ₦20) may apply.
📱 Use the phone number you registered with NIMCNIMC Mobile App
Download the NIMC MWS app from Google Play or App Store. Log in with your registered phone number and your NIN will be displayed.
Send SMS to 346
Send NINNIN as a text message to 346 from the phone number you used during enrolment. Your NIN will be sent back to you via SMS.
Visit a NIMC office
Go to any NIMC enrolment centre with your Transaction ID slip from when you enrolled. Staff can look up your NIN using your biometrics or TID.
How to Link NIN to SIM Card
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) made NIN-SIM linkage mandatory. All SIM cards not linked to a NIN have been barred or restricted. Here's how to link your NIN to each network:
| Network | USSD Code | SMS Method | Self-Service App / Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTN | *785*NIN# |
Send NIN to 785 | MyMTN App → Account → NIN Linkage |
| Airtel | *121*1*NIN# |
Send NIN to 121 | MyAirtel App → Services → NIN |
| Glo | *777*NIN# |
Send NIN to 109 | GloWorld App or gloworld.com |
| 9mobile | *200*NIN# |
Send NIN to 200 | 9mobile app → My Account |
Replace NIN in the USSD code with your actual 11-digit number.
Example for MTN: if your NIN is 12345678901, dial *785*12345678901#
Multiple SIMs: You can link up to 6 SIM cards (across all networks) to one NIN. Each linkage is done separately on the respective network's USSD code.
SIM barred? If your SIM has already been barred, visit the nearest service centre of your network with your NIN and a valid ID. Do not pay anyone to "unbar" your SIM — it is free through official channels.
How to Get Your NIN Slip
The NIN slip is a printed document showing your NIN, name, date of birth and passport photograph. It is sometimes required as proof of NIN where a physical document is needed (e.g. passport applications, JAMB registration).
Visit any NIMC enrolment centre
You cannot get the NIN slip remotely. You must visit a NIMC office or approved agent in person.
Request a NIN slip printout
Tell the officer you need a NIN slip. Provide your 11-digit NIN or your Transaction ID. They will verify your identity (fingerprint scan) and print the slip for you.
📄 Cost: Free at NIMC offices. Some agents charge a small printing fee (₦200–₦500).National ID Card (Physical Card)
The NIN slip is different from the physical National ID Card (the laminated card). To get the physical card, apply at nimc.gov.ng and pay the production fee (₦1,500–₦2,000). Collection takes 4–8 weeks.
NIMC Offices & Enrolment Centres by State
NIMC has offices in every state capital and LGA headquarters in Nigeria. The table below lists the main NIMC state office address for each state:
| State | Main NIMC Office Location | State Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Abia | 5 Bank Road, Umuahia, Abia State | View state ↗ |
| Adamawa | Yola By-Pass Road, Yola, Adamawa State | View state ↗ |
| Akwa Ibom | 88 Abak Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State | View state ↗ |
| Anambra | Government House Road, Awka, Anambra State | View state ↗ |
| Bauchi | Yakubu Gowon Way, Bauchi, Bauchi State | View state ↗ |
| Bayelsa | DSP Alamieyeseigha Way, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State | View state ↗ |
| Benue | Ahmadu Bello Way, Makurdi, Benue State | View state ↗ |
| Borno | Along Maiduguri-Potiskum Road, Maiduguri | View state ↗ |
| Cross River | 43 Calabar Road, Calabar, Cross River State | View state ↗ |
| Delta | Effurun-Sapele Road, Asaba, Delta State | View state ↗ |
| Ebonyi | Mile 50, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State | View state ↗ |
| Edo | 20 Reservation Road, GRA, Benin City | View state ↗ |
| Ekiti | Governors Office Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State | View state ↗ |
| Enugu | Plot 1, Presidential Road, Enugu, Enugu State | View state ↗ |
| FCT Abuja | Plot 2027, Michael Okpara Way, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja | View state ↗ |
| Gombe | Billiri Road, Gombe, Gombe State | View state ↗ |
| Imo | Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State | View state ↗ |
| Jigawa | Dikko Road, Dutse, Jigawa State | View state ↗ |
| Kaduna | Kachia Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State | View state ↗ |
| Kano | Civic Centre, Zoo Road, Kano, Kano State | View state ↗ |
| Katsina | Katsina-Funtua Road, Katsina, Katsina State | View state ↗ |
| Kebbi | Along Birnin Kebbi-Gwandu Road, Birnin Kebbi | View state ↗ |
| Kogi | Behind Government House, Lokoja, Kogi State | View state ↗ |
| Kwara | Along Fate Road, Ilorin, Kwara State | View state ↗ |
| Lagos | 7/9 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos — also Alausa Ikeja | View state ↗ |
| Nasarawa | Along Makurdi Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State | View state ↗ |
| Niger | Minna-Bida Road, Minna, Niger State | View state ↗ |
| Ogun | Along Lagos Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State | View state ↗ |
| Ondo | Alagbaka GRA, Akure, Ondo State | View state ↗ |
| Osun | Gbogan Road, Osogbo, Osun State | View state ↗ |
| Oyo | Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State | View state ↗ |
| Plateau | Zaria Road, Jos, Plateau State | View state ↗ |
| Rivers | 6 Aba Road, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt | View state ↗ |
| Sokoto | Near Birnin Kebbi Road, Sokoto, Sokoto State | View state ↗ |
| Taraba | Hammaruwa Way, Jalingo, Taraba State | View state ↗ |
| Yobe | Ali Monguno Drive, Damaturu, Yobe State | View state ↗ |
| Zamfara | Tudun Wada, Gusau, Zamfara State | View state ↗ |
To find the exact address of your nearest NIMC office, visit nimc.gov.ng and use the office locator tool, or call the NIMC helpline on 0800-NIM-COMM (0800-646-2666) — free on all networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. NIN registration (enrolment) at NIMC offices is completely free of charge. You should never pay anyone for the basic NIN enrolment. However, the physical National ID Card (the laminated card) has a production fee of ₦1,500–₦2,000. The NIN slip (paper printout) is also free at NIMC offices.
After successful biometric enrolment, your 11-digit NIN is typically sent to your registered phone number within 3 to 7 working days. If you do not receive it after 7 days, visit the NIMC office with your Transaction ID slip, or call 0800-646-2666.
You can pre-register online at enrol.nimc.gov.ng, which fills in your personal details in advance and reduces office time. However, you must still visit a NIMC enrolment centre physically for biometric capture (fingerprints and photograph). Full online-only NIN registration without any physical visit is not available.
Dial *346# from the phone number you registered with — your NIN will be displayed. You can also use the NIMC MWS mobile app, or send "NINNIN" via SMS to 346. If your registered number is lost or changed, visit a NIMC office with valid ID and your Transaction ID slip to retrieve your NIN.
Yes. Legal residents of Nigeria — including expatriates, diplomats and refugees with valid residency documentation — can register for NIN. The process is the same as for citizens, but you must provide your valid residence permit, work permit or international passport.
If there is an error in your NIN record (wrong name spelling, wrong date of birth), you need to visit a NIMC office with supporting documents (birth certificate, affidavit) to request a data correction. There is a standard modification form. Corrections may take 2–4 weeks to process.
The NCC currently allows a maximum of 6 SIM cards per NIN across all networks combined. You can link multiple SIMs from different networks to the same NIN.
NIN registration applies to everyone from birth. Children under 16 receive a Child NIN (CNIM) and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has a NIN. At age 16, the CNIM is upgraded to a full NIN with biometric capture.