How to Check National Identity Number (NIN)

Hello there! Let’s explore the simple ways to check your National Identity Number (NIN).

The National Identity Number (NIN) is a unique 11-digit number assigned to every Nigerian citizen and legal resident.

NIN is essential for various transactions and services, including banking, passport issuance, and government services. If you need to check or retrieve your NIN, this post provides the steps you can follow:

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) offers a USSD service that allows you to easily check or retrieve your National Identity Number (NIN) via your mobile phone. There are other options to check your NIN. All of them are covered below.

How to Check/Retrieve Your National Identity Number (NIN) Via USSD

Here are the steps you can follow to check your NIN via USSD:

Step 1: Dial *346#

Simply dial *346# on your phone to retrieve your NIN. Make sure you use the phone number you used in registering for your NIN.

This service is available on all Nigerian Mobile Networks, including MTN, AIRTEL, GLO and 9mobile.

Step 2: Select NIN Retrieval

To retrieve your NIN, you must use the same phone number that you used to enroll. You can retrieve it by selecting “NIN Retrieval” from the list of options displayed. Simply enter 1 – NIN Retrieval… by typing “1.”

Step 3: Allow for Payment of #20

Your network provider will respond that the service will cost you N20 (twenty naira), which will be deducted from your phone credit balance. Reply ‘1’ to proceed.

Step 4: NIN Appears on Screen

As long as there are no service issues, your NIN should appear on the screen. Except that was not the number you used during registration. If that is the case, you will receive an notification stating that “Your Data Does Not Exist. Please Contact the Nearest NIMC Office.”

Now that you know your NIN, make sure to Link your National Identity Number (NIN) to your Number.

How to Check Your NIN Using the NIMC Mobile App

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has a mobile app that allows you to check your NIN and access other related services.

Here are the steps to check your NIN using the NIMC app:

Download the NIMC Mobile ID app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Open the app and enter your registered phone number.
Follow the prompts to log in or create an account if you haven’t already done so.
Once logged in, you can view your NIN and other personal details.

Check Your NIN by Visiting an NIMC Enrollment Center

If you prefer a face-to-face approach or encounter issues with the above methods, you can visit any NIMC enrollment center.

Below are the steps to check your NIN at an NIMC Center:

Locate the nearest NIMC enrollment center using the NIMC website or by asking at local government offices.
Bring a valid form of identification (e.g., passport, driver’s license, or voter’s card).
Request assistance from the staff to retrieve your NIN.

Checking Your NIN Online

You can also check your NIN online through the NIMC’s official website.

The steps are as follows:

Visit the NIMC website.
Navigate to the NIN retrieval section.
Enter your details as required and follow the prompts to retrieve your NIN.

How to Link Your NIN to Your Phone

Below are quick and easy steps for subscribers of all major network providers in Nigeria (MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile) to link their National Identity Number (NIN) to their Number.

Link NIN to MTN Number: Dial *785#

Here are the steps to link your NIN to your MTN number:

Dial *785# using the phone number you wish to link.
Enter your NIN and submit or
Dial *785*Your NIN# from the phone number you wish to link.

The number will be linked to your NIN automatically.

You can also visit https://nin.mtn.ng or download MyMTN App to submit your NIN details.

Link NIN to GLO Number Via SMS

To link your National Identification Number (NIN) to your Glo mobile number, simply send: “UPDATENIN NIN FirstName LastName” to 109.

That is open your phone message app, type in the keywords: UPDATENIN yourNIN YourFirstName YourLastName, and send to the service code 109. For example: UPDATENIN 3234xxxxxxx Isaac Zino

Link NIN to Airtel Number: Dial 1211#

Airtel users can simply link their National Identification Number (NIN) to their phone number by simply dialing *121*1#. Dial now to link.

Link NIN to 9Mobile Number: Dial 2008#

To link your NIN to your 9mobile number, simply dial *200*8#, or visit http://www.9mobile.com.ng/nin.

How to Check if Your NIN Card is Ready

To check if your National Identity Number (NIN) card is ready, visit the National Identity Management Commission [NIMC] website – www.nimc.gov.ng

Scroll down on the homepage and click on ‘e-ID Card Status Portal’ to check if your card is ready and available at the activation center.

You will need to fill in your first and last name and NIMC tracking ID and hit the ‘Check Now’ button.

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

Sometimes, you might encounter issues when trying to check your NIN. Here are some common problems and how to resolve them:

Lost SIM/Phone number: If you have lost the phone number you used during your NIN registration, you must visit the nearest NIMC Enrolment Center to rectify this issue.
Incorrect details: If you input incorrect details, the system will not be able to match your details with those in its database. Ensure you input the correct details as you did during your registration.
Network issues: Sometimes, network issues might prevent you from checking your NIN. If this happens, wait for a while and try again.

Remember, your NIN is an important part of your identity as a citizen or resident. Always keep it safe and do not disclose it to untrusted sources.

Conclusion

Having your NIN is crucial for accessing many services in Nigeria. Whether you choose to use the USSD code or mobile app, visit an enrollment center, check online, or use SMS services, these methods are designed to make it easy for you to retrieve your NIN. Ensure you keep your NIN safe and secure, as it is a vital part of your identity.

If you have any questions or encounter issues, feel free to contact the NIMC support team for assistance.

Thank you.

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How to Check National Identity Number (NIN) – 2024/2025 Guide