This Is The Easiest Way to Get Your NIN Number Right Now

With the rise of criminal activities and the inadequate means to track and catch criminals, it became apparent that the Nigerian government had to find a solution. For decades, the government did not have a solid database of all citizens and non-citizens of the country and if you ask us, we will say that's a bad thing. Long story short, the National Identity Management Commission recently mandated all bonafide citizens of Nigeria to register for and receive their National Identity Number (NIN). This move, according to the officials behind it, would help in "curbing" criminal activities such as kidnapping. In addition, the NIMC says the unique number "is used to tie all records about an individual in the database and is also used to establish or verify his/her identity. All citizens and legal residents in Nigeria, from age zero (birth) and above are eligible to enrol for their NINs". While this is long overdue, it is at least a step in the right direction. If you are still unsure about why you need your NIN, here are 19 reasons why you need it right now:

1. Application for of an electronic passport

2. Opening a personal or business bank account

3. Purchase of insurance policies

4. Purchase, transfer, and registration of interest in land (subject to the Land Use Act)

5. Transactions relating to pensions and Health Insurance Schemes;

6. Consumer credit transactions,

7. Tax payment

8. Registration of voters

9. Transactions having social security implications.

10. Registration for, and provision and use of hospitality, health or services

11. Application for the adoption of an infant, child or person under applicable laws;

12. Purchase and registration of aircraft, ships, boats, motor vehicles and motorcycles;

13. Registration and use of aviation services by airline operators and customers;

14. Boarding aircraft, trains, commercial vehicles, ships and boats;

15. Purchase of travel tickets or tokens for air, rail, road and water transportation;

16. Acquisition, sale or transfer or transmission of shares or equities and other financial instruments;

17. Enrolment into primary, secondary and tertiary schools and continuous professional studies in Nigeria.

18. Registration of companies, sole proprietorships, partnerships and non-profit organisations and other post-incorporation documentation with the Corporate Affairs Commission; and

19. Filing and registration of criminal and civil actions in courts or other arbitration processes.

At this point, it's obvious that you need your identification number to do almost everything as a Nigerian. That said, the easiest way to get your NIN is through your Bank Verification Number (BVN). The NIMC has started harmonizing the BVN with its database. Hence, if you registered for your BVN already, your bank may have automatically generated one. If this is the case, you should not need to go visit any enrollment centre, however, the NIMC has said you have to visit an enrollment centre to get your information updated. To verify if you already have an NIN, you need to download the NIMC app from the App Store or Google Play Store to check. The app also lets you integrate your phone numbers with your NIN. If this method does not work for you, you will need to fill out this form and visit an enrollment centre to get your biometrics captured. You can find a centre here. If are a non-resident Nigerian, visit this link to register your information and find a diaspora enrollment partner in your country of residence. Hope this helps.