This document is produced by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to serve as information and guide to Nigerian Citizens in the Diaspora on the enrolment exercise for the National Identification Number (NIN) in the diaspora.  Section 5 of the National Identity Management Commission Act No. 23 of 2007 ( NIMC Act)empowers the NIMC to  create, manage, maintain and operate the National Identity Database, register Nigerian citizens and Non Nigerian Citizens legally residing in Nigeria, issue unique Identity token called the National Identification Number “NIN” to all registered persons, issue a General Multipurpose Card (GMPC), provide access for the verification and authentication of identities issued, carryout the  harmonization and integration of existing identification databases in government agencies and integrating them into the National Identity Database.  Furthermore, the NIMC Act under the same section, empowers the NIMC to partner with any agency of government or the private sector in the realization of its mandates. NIMC is the regulator of the Identity Sector. The initial implementation plan from the setup of the NIMC is to outsource the enrollment in Nigeria to the private sector. The selection process was carried out and two Nigerian Companies were shortlisted and approved by the Federal Executive Council to carry out the enrolment and card issuance to all persons registered in Nigeria (Front End Services). In view of the past experience under the year 2000 Identity Card project and to ensure the system is controlled and managed by Nigerians, the Backend infrastructure including the network was designed, managed and operated by NIMC personnel.  Due to the financial meltdown at the time of engagement and other contractual prerequisites, the Frontend Services Concession failed and was terminated. 

The NIMC had to go back to the drawing board to re-strategize on the way forward, a remodeling of the processes in view of poor budget releases. The development partners (World Bank, French Development Authority, the European Union), realizing the impact of the absence of an identification database in the most populous country in Africa decided to offer both technical and financial support towards ensuring Nigeria achieved the United Nations SDG goal 16 (Identity for all by 2030) through the Digital Identity ecosystem. The Digital Identity ecosystem roadmap is the process whereby both public and private sector agencies/companies will be licensed to carryout enrolment of all Nigerian Citizens (irrespective of age) and other persons of other nationalities residing in Nigeria and issue them with the National Identification Number (NIN). The licensees are to carry out the enrolment by procuring standardized equipment & personnel and using software, processes and guidelines issued by the NIMC.  Enrolment under the eco-system in Nigeria is free to all persons residing in Nigeria. This is because a large portion of the funding will be utilized for the payment of the licensees for every successful enrolment that generates the NIN. It is a performance-based project and not a contract. This funding does not extend to enrolment in Diaspora.

The NIMC has put in place mechanisms for the protection of data from the point of collection, at transmission, while in storage in the National Identity Database (NIDB) and also in the process of verification and authentication of identities.  1.10 The NIMC’s sole mandate therefore is to provide unique, credible, secure and verifiable identity (anytime and everywhere) and therefore have invested in the latest technology infrastructure, security and processes certifications such as ICAO. The NIMC is championing the passing of the Data Protection & Privacy Bill in Nigeria.  2.0 2.1 2.2  3.0  3.1 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.5 4.0 4.1 4.2  4.3  Who is the National Identity Management Commission? The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, established by an Act of the parliament titled “National Identity Management Commission Act No 23, 2007”. The NIMC is governed by the Governing Board, a body comprising of 19 members representing 15 Federal Government Agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, offices of the Chief of Defense Staff, National Security Adviser, Department of State Security Services and the Nigerian Police Force. 

What is NIN? NIN is the National Identification Number. It is a number unique to the person it is issued to.  It is an 11digit number randomly generated on the successful enrolment of a person. The NIN is not temporary, it is permanent. It does not expire. It is the identity of the person issued for life and only rested on the death of the person. It is not transferable because it is tied to the biometrics of the person it is issued to. It is an Identity token and therefore does not confer citizenship on the holder. NIN is issued once in a lifetime and any attempt to re-register is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment and fine. It is issued on a security paper called the NIN Slip, can be digitally sent to the phone or email of the person if so desired. Once issued with a NIN, a person can assert/confirm his/her identity anytime and anyplace worldwide. Why should I enroll for the NIN/ what are the benefits? The enrolment for the NIN is mandatory for all Nigerian citizens (residing in Nigeria & the  diaspora) and also for foreigners (other than the non-Nigerian diplomatic community) residing in Nigeria. It is the only document permissible by the laws of Nigeria for the ‘Identification’ of a  person in Nigeria. It is the only identity token required before services are provided by government agencies including consular services provided by the Nigerian Embassies and Missions abroad.

The NIN is a pre-requisite for government & social services and it entitles a holder to be eligible to the following: i. ii. iii. The registration on the voters register and the exercise his/her voting rights during elections; The issuance and renewal of the Nigerian international passport; Opening, activation and operation of a Nigerian bank account; iv. Access to consular services in all Nigerian Embassies and Missions abroad. Kindly visit the www.nimc.gov.ng/policies  (specifically the NIMC Act & The Mandatory Use of the NIN Regulation 2017) for detailed transactions requiring the NIN. 5.0  5.1 5.2 6.0 6.1 6.2 7.0 7.1 7.2 8.0 8.1  Is there a time frame for the enrolment? There is no timeframe. NIMC operates an identity management system. A system that runs 24/7, with ability for persons to update and review their records (modifications or updates) and such records can only be accessed with the consent of the person for verification and confirmation of the identity. Children are born every hour of every day and likewise people are dying every hour and every day, thus the National Identity Management System does not have a time frame.  Why is NIMC not the one carrying out the enrolment in Diaspora but other private companies? NIMC has the powers to partner with the private sector to provide services under its mandate. 

The NIMC is an agency of the Federal Government and has decided to concentrate on its regulatory functions by allowing qualified companies to carry out the Frontend Services (FES).  The Companies carrying out the FES are only allowed to carry out the NIMC FES in countries they are qualified to operate and are guided by the laid down rules & regulations set out in their respective licenses and also data protection & privacy rules and regulations of those countries. With the Bank Verification Number (BVN) why do I need to enroll for the NIN? Bank Verification Number is what we call functional number given to an eligible person.  Therefore, only persons with bank accounts are eligible for it. It is not mandatory for everyone to obtain the BVN. The NIN on the other hand, is an identity token that identifies every individual irrespective of age, gender, financial or other status. It is called the Foundation Number/ Foundation Identity that enables the owner to be able to identify him/herself before the bank, hospital, immigration, voter’s register and every other transaction. So therefore, it is the foundation upon which the functional numbers/IDs such as the BVN and all the others rest/rely upon.