The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced the complete restoration of its National Identification Number (NIN) verification services across Nigeria. Following a successful system maintenance exercise, NIMC confirmed that all previously disrupted services have resumed, bringing relief to banks, telecom operators, and government agencies that rely on real-time NIN verification. During the disruption, several telecom operators temporarily suspended SIM registration and verification processes due to the unavailability of NIMC’s systems.
Details of Service Restoration
According to a statement from the Commission, the temporary disruption was caused by maintenance carried out by one of its network service providers. With the completion of the maintenance, all services have now been restored. Users can once again access both verification platforms—Tokenization and the NIN Verification Service (NVS)—for identity authentication.
Impact on Financial and Public Institutions
The service downtime had affected operations at banks, telecom firms, and government institutions, resulting in delays in customer onboarding and identity verification. With services now fully restored, these institutions are expected to return to normal operations.
What to Expect Next
NIMC has advised Nigerians who wish to enroll for NIN or update their personal data to visit the Commission’s official website for a list of approved enrollment centers. Additionally, users can take advantage of the Commission’s self-service portal for data modifications such as name or date-of-birth changes.
The public is also encouraged to download the NIMC NameAuth App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to easily verify and authenticate their NINs.
Why NIN Verification Matters
NIN verification is essential for:
- Secure Identity Verification – Ensuring individuals are correctly and securely identified.
- Access to Government Services – Required for services like pensions, health insurance, and voting.
- Banking and Financial Transactions – Facilitates secure onboarding and KYC processes.
- Passport Issuance – Mandatory for acquiring or renewing passports.
NIMC Reaffirms Commitment to Service Excellence
The Commission thanked Nigerians for their patience and cooperation during the outage, emphasizing that all efforts were made to restore services swiftly. NIMC reiterated its dedication to providing efficient and secure identity management nationwide.
How to Check Your NIN Status
- Visit the NIMC Website – Access the official portal.
- Use the NIMC App – Download the MWS Mobile ID App on your device.
- Log In – Use your NIN and OTP to access your profile.
- Check Status – Navigate to the NIN status section.
- Use USSD – Dial *346# on any mobile phone to retrieve your NIN.
Guidance on Modifying NIN Data
NIMC has warned the public to only use its official self-service portal for modifying personal information. Using unauthorized websites can compromise data security and expose users to identity fraud.
Conclusion
The restoration of NIN verification services is a major relief for millions of Nigerians who rely on NIMC’s platforms for accessing critical services. With its renewed commitment to reliability and efficiency, the Commission continues to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s evolving digital identity landscape—benefiting sectors such as banking, telecoms, and public administration.
