National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to Introduce Self-Service NIN Registration App for Nigerians in the Diaspora

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is set to launch a user-friendly self-service application that will enable Nigerians in the diaspora to effortlessly enroll for their National Identification Number (NIN). This initiative aims to provide a seamless and contactless experience for diaspora Nigerians seeking to obtain their NINs.

In a statement released by Ayodele Babalola, the Technical Adviser to the Director General of NIMC on Media and Communications, it was revealed that the app is scheduled to go live in February of this year. The announcement was made during a strategic meeting led by the NIMC Director General, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, at the office of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Chairman/CEO, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

The NIMC DG emphasised that this initiative aligns with the commitment to enhancing service delivery and creating a hassle-free system for Nigerians abroad. As part of the process, a dedicated Diaspora Focal Point Desk will be established at the NIMC Office to ensure the swift resolution of issues within 24 hours, demonstrating a customer-centric approach aimed at providing efficient support to Nigerians abroad.

Hon. Dabiri-Erewa expressed gratitude to the NIMC delegation for this innovative solution, acknowledging the forward-thinking strategy adopted by Engr. Coker-Odusote. She highlighted the significance of the new system, emphasising its capability to easily link NIN with international passports for Nigerians residing outside the country. The strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in leveraging technology to enhance the accessibility of critical identity services for Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Populating the NIN Database

The introduction of the app for diaspora enrollment is expected to contribute to the growth of the NIN database, which has been expanding slowly over the years. As of December 31, 2023, the total number of Nigerians with NIN stood at 104.16 million. Despite this figure, it is considered low when compared with the country’s population, which is currently over 200 million.

Under the World Bank-supervised Digital Identity for Development (DID4D) project, NIMC aims to have captured 148 million Nigerians by June of this year. Additionally, the plan is to issue NIN to at least 65 million female Nigerians by June 1, 2024, and 50 million NIN to children under 16 years of age.

Challenges and Recent Developments

Despite various measures to encourage NIN registration, including making it a requisite for obtaining national documents and services, the enrollment process has faced challenges. The recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordering banks to commence the electronic revalidation of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and linking them with customers’ NIN by January 31, 2024, is one of the measures to drive registration.

However, NIMC recently suspended third-party agents (Front-End Partners – FEPs) from participating in NIN enrollments as part of a broader revalidation exercise aimed at cleansing the enrollment process and addressing outstanding debts owed to these agents.

The suspension is temporary, focusing on ensuring data integrity in the country’s identity database. The NIMC DG emphasised that this initiative is not targeting a specific group but aims to conduct a thorough audit to address debts and enhance the security of data in the identity database.

While the enrollment within Nigeria has faced challenges, the new self-service app for diaspora Nigerians signifies a proactive step to extend the enrollment process and provide convenience for those outside the country.