NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (NIN)

In continuation of our introductory posts on the National Identity Management System (NIMS), we would like to introduce the concept and the procedure for the assignment of a National Identification Number (NIN) to individuals who have been successfully enrolled into the National Identity Database.

National Identification Number (NIN)

The National Identification Number (NIN): These consist of a series of digits which serve as an identifier assigned to qualified citizens and legal residents who have successfully enrolled.

It is assigned in such a way that no two persons have the same NIN.

To be issued a NIN, an individual must enrol first.

Enrolment is the process of recording 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 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.

NIN Assignment

Only NIMC can assign the digit NIN to an individual. Once NIN is assigned to an individual, it can never be changed or altered in any form.

 NIN does not expire and is valid for the entire life span of the subject biometrics that it was assigned to.

Use of NIN

NIN shall be the basis of which the Federal, State, and Local government shall interact with a citizen of Nigeria. Each Ministry, agency, regulatory body, and entities must tie an individual to a NIN, before services can be rendered to the individual.

There are different ways you can enrol for the NIN. However you can choose the self-service or you require an assisted service.

• Self service enrolment

• Assisted enrolment

 HOW TO ENROL FOR THE NATIONAL e-ID CARD.

Every Nigerian and legal resident from the ages of 16years and above is eligible to enrol for the National Identification Number (NIN). To enrol you can choose the self-service or you require an assisted service. Below are procedures for the process of enrolment (also available on the NIMC website).

Self- service enrolment:

You can either pre-enrol online by going to the website www.nimc.gov.ng to fill enrolment form, and then print out the summary sheet (with a 2D barcode and registration ID number) after filling the form. Take this print out to the enrolment officer at the Registration centre in your location, who will confirm the enrolment data on the system and thereafter your photograph , fingerprints and signature will be captured.

 OR

You simply carry out the “walk in and do it yourself” enrolment process. In which an applicant walks into an Enrolment Centre and fill an Enrolment Form (hard copy). The completed form is handed over to the enrolment officer who in turn captures the biometric data of the applicant and process the data in the competed enrolment form. Below is a step by step explanation.

STEP 1: Applicant walks in to an Enrolment Centre and gets an Enrolment Form.

STEP 2: Applicant fills the Enrolment Form, providing the required demographic information.

STEP 3: Applicant approaches the Enrolment Officer who collects the filled form and inputs the details into the Enrolment Application.

STEP 4: Applicant verifies and confirms the enrolment data on the system.

STEP 5: Applicant has his/her headshot photograph, fingerprints and signature captured.

STEP 6: Applicant’s enrolment is acknowledged; two slips are generated and given to the applicant. A transaction slip and NIN slip indicating completion of enrolment.

STEP 7: Applicant leaves enrolment centre.

Assisted service enrolment:

This is a “walk in and get assistance from support officer” process of enrolment. In this method an applicant walks in to the Enrolment Centre and is assisted by a support officer whose responsibility is to guide the applicant in filling the Enrolment form. The completed form is handed over to the enrolment officer who in turn captures the biometric data of the applicant and process the data in the completed enrolment form.

STEP 1: Applicant walks into enrolment centre and request for enrolment assistance.

STEP 2: A support officer assists applicant in picking and filling the enrolment form.

STEP 3:  Applicant approaches an enrolment officer who collects the completed   form and inputs the details into the enrolment portal.

STEP 4: Applicant verifies and confirms the enrolment data on the system.

STEP 5: Applicant has his photograph, finger print captured.

STEP 6: Applicant has his supporting documents scanned.

STEP 7: Enrolment is acknowledged and a slip is generated and given indicating completion of enrolment.

STEP 8: Applicant leaves the enrolment centre

MOBILE SERVICE:

This is the process where an applicant can enrol for NIN by going to any Mobile Enrolment Station available in his/her neighbourhood at any point in time.

For this method of enrolment, the applicant may request for an enrolment form and personally complete it or request for assistance from the support officer (you can also download the form here). This process is complete after the biometric data of the applicant is captured and the data in the filled enrolment form is being processed by the enrolment officer at the station.

At the end of the registration, your enrolment will be acknowledged; two slips are generated and given to the applicant.

• Transaction slip

• NIN slip indicating completion of enrolment

PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENTS

Primary source/ identification documents provide verification of a person’s identity.

During the process of your enrolment the quality of your data need to be confirmed, this is done mainly with Supporting Documents, which you will be required to present whether you are a citizen or legal resident.

These copies of your documents that you have provided will be verified against the original after it is scanned and stored by the Registration Officer at the Registration Centre. A physical copy is then filed for audit purposes.

For the group of citizens and legal residents who have no documentation, they will be enrolled and NIN issued to them, but a note will be made to point out that no supporting documents were presented. This process is important during pre-card personalization checks and security clearance.

In the case of Registration Centres in border towns and villages, people who claim to be citizens will be cleared with the Nigerian immigration Service (NIS) personnel at the nearest office of the NIS before the card is issued and delivered.

Once eligible citizens have enrolled for their NIN they will be notified by text messages when their e-ID Card is ready for collection.

When notified, they are to visit the NIMC enrolment centre where the citizen enrolled to collect and activate the ID component on the card.

There after text messages will be sent inviting enrolled applicants who’s e-ID cards are ready to show up for collection.

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