About Nigerian Identification Number (NIN)
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Nigeria was established by a Nigerian legislative Act No.23 of 2007 empowering it to establish, own, operate maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria. This act makes it a requirement for all citizens to enrol in other to have both their bio-data and demographic data registered in the National Data Base.
To fulfil this mandate once an enrolee is successfully registered into NIDB (National Identity Data Base) a unique NIN (National Identity Number) is generated which links your supplied (or taken) demographic and bio-data to NIN number. The generated NIN number would now legally identify you for life whenever NIN is used.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has the unique task of harmonizing this record with other agencies so that record is verified when needed either to confirm your identity or applying for a service or a Nigerian Passport.
The President while unveiling the new enhanced E-passport on 15th January 2019 issued directive that the NIN issued by the NIMC be inserted as an additional data in the new enhanced Nigerian Passport.
National Identity Number has become vital for following reasons;
As an Individual you NIN is used for:
a) Retrieval of your captured information from National Identity Database
b) Matching your information associated with your NIN can be used for Identity verification.
To the Society as a whole the issued NIN would help among other benefits in following ways:
a) Accurate demographic information of all individuals living/dead
b) An effective tool in the hands of government in allocating resources and social services
c) Crime or fraud Prevention (419) particularly where some one else impersonate you
d) Verification of voter’s eligibility during elections
e) Banks in Nigeria now synchronize your BVN (Bank Verification Number) with your NIN to see that both information are in sync which helps them in delivering their services.