The Nigerian National Identification Number (NIN) is a unique identification number issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). It is expected that every Nigerian is enrolled and issued the NIN for the purpose of all round identification. In recent times and maybe in the nearest future, this number is to be linked with every individual activities including banking transactions.
In this post we have outlined practical ways of retrieving and linking your National Identification Number (NIN) via the USSD code on the major network operators or through other online platforms.
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had earlier issued an ultimatum to telecommunication operators to block all SIM cards that are not registered which eventually has been adhere to by the major oprators. To avoid disconnection and get keep your line on, you need to be sure you have followed the procedures to link your line with your National Identification Number (NIN).
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National Identification Number Registration
For those who are yet to enrol for the NIMC’s NIN, it is important to do so as to be able to get your line linked. To get registered;
- visit the online pre-enrolment portal for enrolment forms and guidelines or
- You can download NIMC registration form through this link or
- Walk directly into any NIMC’s enrolment centres nationwide
- You can register through other licensed agents (ask around your neighborhood)
Note: You need one registration to be issued both the NIMC card and NIN. The 11-digit National Identification Number (NIN) is however not the same thing as the National e-ID Card which is a physical token. The NIN can be used on its own for digital identity verification without the e-ID card.
NIMC Enrolment Centres
There are designated centres country-wide and in overseas locations where you can easily work in to register enrol for NIN. To find NIMC enrolment Centres near you, visit the NIMC webpage and click on your state or Diaspora location for a comprehensive list of centres across the location.
Requirements for NIN Registration
To enrol as an adult, walk into the nearest NIMC Enrolment Centre with your BVN if you have one and any of the following required Original and Valid supporting documents:
- Old National ID Card
- Driver’s License
- Voter’s card (Temporary or Permanent)
- Nigerian International passport
- Certificate of Origin
- Attestation letter from a prominent ruler in your community
- Birth certificate
- Declaration of age
- Attestation letter from religious/traditional leader
- NHIS ID card
- Government staff ID card
- Registered/recognized private organization staff ID card
- School ID Card (private/public)
- Tax Clearance certificate
- Valid immigration documents
How to Retrieve NIN Number Using USSD
To find your NIN number, use the following simple steps;
- Dial *346# using your phone on any network
- Enter ‘1’ to choose NIN Retrieval Option (if the phone number you are dialling from was used during your NIN registration).
- Enter ‘2’ to choose NIN Search option (if you have lost your number; you will be required to input some of your registration details)
- Once you have retrieved, congratulations
- The next step will be to link your NIN to your line, procedures are differ depending on the operator
Link NIN to MTN:
Mtn users can link their NIN to their line in any of these three ways
- Online registration portal via https://mtnonline.com/nin
- USSD code: Dial *785# or
- Via myMTNApp, get it on Google Play or Apple Store
- Complete the NIN linking form by entering your name, phone number, NIN, and email address.
- Submit the form as soon as you’re done.
- Wait for feedback from the network.
Link NIN to AIRTEL:
Two option are available for Airtel users to link their NIN;
- Option 1: Visit the online registration link via www.airtel.com.ng/nin
- Option 2: Dial *121*1# on your Airtel line to submit your NIN
- Type 1 for “NIN Capture” and send.
- Enter your 11-digit NIN and send.
- Wait for the message confirming your submission.
- If you get an error, just wait for some time and try again.
Link NIN to 9MOBILE:
Two option are also available to link NIN to your 9mobile line;
- Option 2: Visit 9mobile.com.ng/nin to submit online
- Click on ‘Verify and Link your NIN now’
- Fill the required information and submit
- Option 1: Dial *200*8# and follow the prompts to submit your details;
Link NIN to Glo:
To link NIN to your Glo line, you can either;
- Visit the online registration portal via www.gloworld.com/ng/nin to fill your information and link. Or
- Dial *109*yourNIN# (e.g *109*90123456789#) and follow the prompts to submit your details Or
- By SMS – Simply text your 11-digits NIN number to 109 (e.g 90123456789 to 109) and wait for reply.
NIN Retrieval without a Phone Number
If you have lost your phone number (which you used during enrolment for the NIN) and the temporal NIMC slip, then try the following to retrieve your NIN
- Dial the general retrieval code (*346#) with your current number linked with your BVN
- Try using the NIMC Mobile app – you can get the app at NIMC webpage or on Google Play store
- Go to nimc.gov.ng to print your NIN slip with the QR code and view your mobile
- If none of the above work, then proceed to any NIMC office near you to liaise with an official to help you.
Further Notes
- NIN Code: Please note that the USSD code *346# is the general NIN retrieval code for all network. If you are unable to link your NIN through the methods outlined on this page, then
- You should simply visit the nearest office of your service provider to submit/link your NIN.
- Go with your NIN and SIM pack
- Alternatively, call the customer care line of your service provider.
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Please sir I don’t have an NIN number please how can I get it with my phone
My phone was stolen, together with my sim card. At this time (march 2021), no sim registration was allowed. so I registered my NIN with a sim card that wasn’t register by me or with my biometrics. Few months later, this sim that I used in registering for NIN got missing. Now am trying to get my profile code using a brand-new registered sim, but jamb reply was “Your NIN (83824******) has already been registered with another phone number. Help me sir, what should I do.
Please sir I misplaced the sim card I used for the registration of my NIN number I got a new SIM card but used the NIN number to register it but, I’m a student and I’ve been trying to generate my jamb profile code but it has just been saying that the NIN number has already been registered with my previous line
What do I do?
I open a NIN and I have collected it and I want to use it to upgrade my bank and it’s was say record not found
Try again it might be network issues, if it persists then check back with NIMC and report the issue
I have my national ID but I can’t get my mom no. Because I submitted it to get my card . tried calling *346# but it’s telling me error . please how do I go about this
I have done my NIN since 2017 but i dont go back to collect the slip and and I try using *346# to check my nin and I found it but no data found for the nin on NIMC app . So please who can back my NIN and also get the slip..
I have done my nin but is not valid what I my going to do pls sir/ma
How can I get my nin number, because those that did it for me has left our area and am in need of it urgently, buh any time I tried to retrieve it on my Airtel sim, itz going to tell me that my data dosent exist, what can I do to get the nin number plz
I registered for NiN 2019 , at a UBA branch around me .then i was given the temporary nin slip . I was suddenly involved in an awkward predicament . And now I really need the nin number but the sim I used to register and the slip is nowhere to be found . What can I do about it ? Can I re-register or there is better way to retrieve the nin number please help .
You need to visit NIMC and they’ll tell you what to do
Hello pls I registered for nin 3weeks ago up till now my Nin number is not out and I want to retrieve my sim with it cause I lost my phone pls could there be any reason for the delay? Thanks pls reply
back to your registration center provide your BVN , to check if your bank have generate NIN…in case bank has generate it , has them to re- enroll , using BVN … NIN Generated..
2. may be you have registered it before…unknown to you
3. NIN database is full…
4. also get someone from NIMC IT Department to fast track your NIN
I have been registered for over 4 months now, I have been given tracking number, up till now I am unable to get the nin number
Pls sir I misplaced my nin and I could not find it back again but I’m still using the SIM I used too link the NIN ..but any time I dial *346# it keeps on bringing…my data doesn’t exist pls what do I do
back to your registration center provide your BVN , to check if your bank have generate NIN…in case bank has generate it , has them to re- enroll , using BVN … NIN Generated..
2. may be you have registered it before…unknown to you
3. NIN database is full…
4. also get someone from NIMC IT Department to fast track your NIN
5. You can also get your NIN , USING PHONE NUMBER USED DURING NIN REGISTRATION..
@Wesley those are options for you to try also, thanks to Segun
I did my nin but whenever I try to use the *346# the response is that my data does not exist.
Hello Amos, visit the nearest NIMC office for assistance. Regards
Pls I don’t know what to do my NINC is missing and the number too is missing is it possible to generate another NIN with another number ?
Get your number retrieved or use the NIMC app
Good afternoon.
My phone was stolen and I had had to retrieve my line. Collected a fresh NIN Slip from the NIMC Office in my local government. But when I went to the network office, I was told that my NIN isn’t connected to my mobile number. Please what is the way forward?
Simply follow the procedures above to link your NIN to your number
I have done my NIN since 2017 but i dont go back to collect the slip and the phone number i used to register got missed. So please who can back my NIN and also get the slip..
I have my nin with me and I have generate my profile code with it but the nin have a misspelled surname what should I do and can I use it for jamb?
It’s important you go to NIMC’s office or enrolment centre to correct it
I registered for my NIN with Glo network since first April till Date not yet ready, I’ve diald *346₦ several times, is either still processing or file Does Not exist, I’ve spent lots of money just to attain this nin, more especially for someone who’s not working.
You need to visit the enrolment centre again. Meanwhile, you should stop spending money for NIN
When I dial +364# and +758# in my phone it will work
And the where i’m live is village
What will do now
Please note that it’s *346# sir, and not +364#…
Good evening… I registered for NIN in my area as at last week Tuesday and I was asked if I have any form of identity, then I said no. Then I was asked to pay higher and they told me that I can register for NIN even if I don’t have any form of identity so I registered and I was told to come back a week later. I went there this morning and my tracking id was typed on their system but what I saw was “processing error”. Pls what do I do? What’s the solution?
You should be sure that you went to an accredited agent. Telcos are accredited to register NIN now, you may as well check with them
Can I use my mom NIN because I can’t get the profile code with my NIN
Hello Qudus, NIN is not to be shared and unique to an individual.
Please my nin has refused to link with my MTN line and I can’t register for jamb
Hello Dabby, you may need to contact the nearest JAMB office. Regards
I linked my phone number to my dad’s NIN because I was scared dat I won’t be able to get my NIN Be4 d dead line given , but now I have my own NIN can I unlink it from his NIN and link it to my own NIN
You need to contact your network operator’s customer care for a better guide on that
My brother register the NIN over 3weeks and he is has not gotten the code till now, please how can we go about it
Check back at the enrolment centre to sort out the issues
Dear Customer, Your NIN – number has failed NIMC verification. Please submit the correct NIN or visit any of our outlets to update your records. Thank you! This is what i get from MTN network and when I register my sim they said successful. Am confused because I have register NIN since 2012
You have to do exactly as the message reads…check the number you submitted to them and be sure it is correct
Pls I dial my NIN number to link ur to my sin
It saying the code is invalid
Make sure you are dialling the code as given above
I lost my nin and I don’t have the number I used to register it any longer though I was not up to 18 when I registered it was my sister’s nin I used please how will I get my nin back?
You can’t use your sister’s NIN, you should NIMC enrolment centre to enrol
So Easy, Thanks Bro
please i need help on how to retreive my NIN without the use of my phone number i used to register, because i no longer use the phone number and the same number is also linked to my BVN.
Hello Okolie, you may wish to contact the nearest NIMC office.
How can I get my tracking ID, please
Please, I want to know if I can change the number I used in registering my nin to a new number am using now as per I can’t remember the old number cause I was younger when I did my nin. I tried to verify my nin but they sent the otp code to old number I have forgotten.
You need to visit NIMC’s office or enrolment centre to get that done
I am not in Nigeria, I don’t have the sim card that I registered my NIMC with me what should I do to get my NIN number please. Am in Israel
There is a procedure to follow at NIMC’s website for those in diaspora.
Hello… I did my NIN enrollment 12.04.2021, and I was told told online to wait for 2 or 3 working days for NIN. Buy I checked it now with *346#, its not coming up… What should I do?
I needed to use my NIN to complete a request in the bank today. My NIN was inputed from my NIMC slip into the computer and it responded “no records”.
Please help me
You need to visit any NIMC office/enrolment centre
I have the same issue.. I can’t link my sim cards
Pls l want to Know wether MTN have started retrieving line
I want retrieve my damaged MTN line since January in MTN nearest office , their response is that the network is not available.
I have collected my nimc slip but when I tried to register my jamb it no work because my was not the one I used to register my nin
I registered my nin but it has been telling me invalid link anytime I want to link with my number
Hello Deborah, kindly visit the nearest office of your network provider.
Good day please I have the plastic national I’d card and my NIN is not on it. How can I go about retrieving my Sim?
SIM retrieval is done at the operator’s outlets
My Father enrolled for the National Identity Card some years back and got it. The issue is that he had no phone then so we cannot use the *346# to get his NIN. How then can he get his NIN since enrollment is once in a lifetime?
Here are some info on the card: Seq. No: ***, ID No: ***, and Personal No: ***.
His Phone Number: ***.
He can re-registered, my dad alsodid his
some years ago he still did the recent one that what he is using
Good day admin, i think there should be a general code for retrieve this nin code for those who have lost their phone that they used to registered nin, so that they retrieved there nim from any phone no. thanks
Pls I lost the sim I used to register for NIN in 2019 and I was given a transaction slip and now I want to get the NIN slip in order to retrieve the sim but its not generating my profile at nimc office. Can I use my voters card to retrieve the sim?
Any other identification should be accepted for SIM retrieval
i cant retrieve my NIN using *346# i really can dont know what to do now and i need it urgently. When ever i try they show “data is in process ” without showing me the number(NIN)
i lost the sim i use in opening my bvn how do i retrieve my nin number
Hello Olami, do well to contact your network provider. Best regards
Please I need your assistant
Have already register but any time I tried retrieving it
It tells me data does not exist and I registered like three weeks ago.
Maybe you should allow some few days to try again. Else, you should approach NIMC to confirm registration success
The number on my nimc slip is different from the number generated by using *346#. Please which one is correct?.
You may need to approach NIMC to rectify that
A couple of years ago, I filled the form put in the necessary details and submitted it at the NIMC office nearest to me but, when I went back there recently they said that there portal was down and couldn’t retrieve my tracking id and they said I call the NIMC customer lines and ask for my tracking ID since then I have been calling but it never goes through. My question is how do I get my tracking ID.
It will be necessary to visit an enrolment centre to fix that
Please I could not register my nin online
You should, just follow the procedures stated above
Please I have my nin the old one i did 2003 and anytime I link it with any of my sim i see successful but when I try to retrieve it,it will tell me that my data does not exist and I jes collected the nin
PLS I HAVE COMPLETED THE REGISTRATION ON THE 22/03/2019. A HAVE MY ENROLLMENT SLIP. HOW CAN I RETRIEVE OR TRACK MY NIN NUMBER? I HAVE USED *346# NO REPLY
Pls
After confirmation of submission .how do I know my NIN has been successfully linked to my sim by NIMC
Hi, pls I forgot the number I used to enrol for NIN and I tried using the number I used for my BVN to retrieve my NIN, but it says my data could not be found, now my question is can I enrol for another capturing
Hello Justin, visit the nearest NIMC office and lay your complains for necessary actions. Best regards
I registered my NIN for a very long time like 4years ago and it got lost, I also can’t remember the phone number I used in registering the NIN. I also can’t register twice, what do I do?
Visit NIMC’s office/enrolment centre
So now they replied me by my data do not exist what should I do
Is it by re-registering my SIM again???
I send my nin to 55019 they say your nin has already been used with GSM number which is my old sim number, I had used the old sim last year and they say I cnt used it anymore bio
Check with your network operator
I’ve been trying to retrieve my NIN number but it keeps saying my request is being processed ever since. What seems to be the issue?
Please I registered for my nin yesterday.. I was able to enroll for it and do the capturing but I did not get my nin number yet.. How do I go about it.
I already enrolled with NIMC but there’s no NIN written on the slip…plus I tried to retrieve it but it shows data could not be found what do I do?
Hello Kholins, do visit the nearest NIMC office closest to you. Best regards
I lost my nin card and have been trying to retrieve the nin number using the code. The reply I get is my request is been processed and I am yet to receive any other response. What could be the issue sir. What else can I do to get the number?
Good in nice
Pls i have the enrollment transaction slip and there is no number on it. What do I do?
Dial *346# to retrieve your NIN.
I have my plastic nimc card with me but unable to figure out the 11 digit number for nin. I tried using *346# to no avail
I tried to retrieve and it’s not popping out my NIN. What should I do?
Hello Bizito, visit the nearest NIMC to enroll for your NIN. Best regards.
Please can you show me where the nin number is located?
Pls my other sim is not my name is their can i use my nin too
Your question isn’t very clear
I dia the *346# code on my phone and it says ; ur NIN is ……., Also when i checked my bank account balance it displays the balance amount, the bvn, and NIN. But i hv not done any NIN registration before, i dont know where that NIN came from,, i don’t have any national ID card yet. So, what step do i suppose to take now, what should i do next?
NIN were auto-generated for some Nigerians at the point of BVN enrolment, use that to link your lines. You will still have to go and enrol for NIMC card if you need it.
I lost my nin card and have been trying to retrieve the nin number using the code. The reply I get is my request is been processed and I am yet to receive any other response. What could be the issue sir. What else can I do to get the number?
That may be network error, keep trying the code
Pls I have voters card and I have done my NIMC but I don’t have National ID card how do I get it
Hello Olajide, NIMC registration is for National ID Card. So do well to find the slip given to you upon registration at NIMC. Best regards
I am not Nigerian but based in Nigeria. What do I use to register since I dont have NIN?
I guess a portal have been opened for diplomats and expatriates. Please check NIMC site if you belong in that category.
When I try to retrieve my nin is saying my request is being processed without showing my nin
Could be some issues from network. Retry later
This piece of information is highly appreciated.
I dialed *346# on my Zain sim card to retrieve my NIN number. It replied that my data doesn’t exist. What else can I do to link my nin to sim?
Thank you
Hello Oluseyi, if you have registered with NIMC, then your NIN number is boldly written on the registration slip given to you upon registration. However, if you haven’t registered with NIMC, please do visit the nearest NIMC office close to you to register and get your NIN number. After getting your NIN number, you can then proceed to link your NIN to your phone number. Best regards
When I dial *346# on my line it retrieve my nin. But when I put the nin number in nimc mobile app it shows error. Tried it several times yet no result.
Retry, could be network error
This piece of information is highly appreciated.
I dialed *346# on my Zain sim card to retrieve my NIN number. It replied that my data doesn’t exist. What else can I do to link my nin to sim?
Thank you
Please I have my nin and anytime I link it with any of my sim i see successful buh when I try to retrieve it,it will tell me that my data does not exist and I jes collected the nin
Hello Racheal, if your network provider has sent you a message that you were successful while linking your NIN, then you don’t have anything to worry about. However, be sure that your NIN is correct. Best regards.
How can an expatriate register there own or is there any provision for them?
I believe so, go to NIMC for proper direction
Please can you retrieve your nin if you don’t have airtime the sim you used to register
The sim I used for registration has expired and it has been long and mtn has resold it to someone else, but I still have the slip with me, pls how do I get my NIN since am not using the sim again? pls help.
You may have to approach NIMC for an update.
I did my national I’d since 2014 ,I have my nin identity code, I want to collect, my plastic I’d , I can not get it , and the number I use for enrollment , I miss place it, they are still telling me I cannot get the I’d card, please help me
Go to NIMC office/enrolment centre
Is it possible to use someone’s number to register?
Hello Nmesoma, your NIN is perculiar to you. So there is no point using someone else’s number to register. Best regards
Please, I really want to understand if anyone with BVN number without can link it to NIN,
Thanks
Hi can one actually get NIN number even when he hasn’t registered for NIN but own a BVN number and has the sim use in registering for BVN?
Use the number linked with the BVN to try retrieving your NIN.
Please how can I find my NIN Number, I lost it and I don’t have the number I used in opening it anymore
I have an old bvn and i noticed i have been given NIN alteady because when i tried the NIN retrieval code it gave me an option yo retrieve my NIN but glo krrps saying timeout, until the phone was stolen on the 27th, Dec 2020. Now i have no way of getting the NIN, and all effort to retrieve the sim since then till today 3rd Jan 2021 didn’t give any positive result, the sim haven’t been retrieved yet, can anyone help please
They might not be any magic Segun, I guess you should try your best to retrieve your SIM first, if that is your main line. Then start from there.
Please how do I retrieve my information I used when registered for NIN? I have the NIN number but I want to know how to check all the details used during the registration period.
Please can I also use votes card
We can’t say if there is a link between voters’ information and national identification number yet.
Please how can I know if my nin has been linked because I used the used.
If you follow any of the procedures outlined on this page then you will get a response from your network operator after linking your line.
Please help me, my sim card was black yesterday, I have my nin slip, pls how do I retrieve my sim card back. Help me pls.
How can an expatriate register there own or is there any provision for them?
I have lost the SIM card I used to open my BVN what else can I do?
Hello Adesina, please do visit the nearest NIMC office or your network provider for more details. Best regards
I traveled and not back so i don’t know if i can still use the retrieve code since it meant for those who lost their nin code?
Please help me out
Any where you are as long as you have your phone just dial the code and retrieve your nin
Yes, of course Tom is right
After dialing the code it’s saying SP service time out
Give it sometime and retry
What do i do. I’m not with my NIN in my current location and I lost the number I used to register my NIN
Try using the number linked to your BVN to retrieve your NIN
I have done the NIN over 3 weeks now and I want to use it to renew my international passport and the NIN is telling them my data does not exist and I need the passport urgently what can I do next?
You should try contacting NIMC
Please help me out, I have my plastic identification card with me right now and there’s no nin number on it, I don’t have the slip with me any longer because when I went to collect the permanent card they collected the slip b4 giving me the card.
Presently I can’t retrieve my nin because I Lost my phone together with the sim card I used for the enrollment since 2015.
In this case what do I need to do now?
Or is there any number on the plastic national identification card which is the nin number?
Please if there’s tell me where to locate it. Thank you
I understand your BVN is somehow linked to NIN, so dial the retrieval code *346# using the number on your BVN. That should help retrieve your NIN. Regards
I tried it, its telling me data doesn’t exist
If you have already enrolled with NIMC or BVN, make sure to use the number you used in any of those enrolment to dial the retrieval code.
My data couldn’t be found
I have my nin, but it doesn’t work with my nimc app. It always the nin presented turns to be an error, that’s the reply I always get.
Francis, it will be proper to reach out directly to NIMC if the issue persists.
The reason your data doesn’t exist is because you don’t have any National ID card so go and have yours
Of course that is what it means, however we understand NIN was auto-generated for those who have enrolled for BVN hence the possibility of retrieving without pre-enrolment with NIMC. If you still can’t retrieve yours it’s simply that you go for enrolment.
Same here
…what should I do ..have type *346# it says my data does not exist
I tried and they told me my data doesn’t exist
Hello Happy, do visit any NIMC office nearest to you to enroll for your NIN. Best regards.
Same thing i noticed for someone who has a BVN and a NIMC card. System error or what?
If I send my Nin to MTN
This is what they show me. I dont understand.
(Your Phone and Nin was previously submitted for validation. Thanks)
What mean is’t invalid or what
Pls tell me
It was submitted, so you don’t have a problem
The NIMC I have with here only have a tracking ID
And I have also lost the contact that I used to do it before
Please what can I do
Hello Humi, visit the nearest NIMC office. Best regards
i typed it but they said my data could not be found
Please let’s understand what you typed, maybe we could advise.
It seems* u did a mistake in inputting your number
Instead of +23490……..6
Or put +234090………6
How to check my line if it registered with NIN Number
Dial *346# both to register/link your NIN and to check if it’s already linked.
Pls help me im arlready dial *346# but mtn never send me my nin number pls help me another way
Please assist me I lost the sim card I used to register non
How do I retrieve it
You should have to retrieve your SIM or contact NIMC directly for help
Pls am also I the same issue with u how did u go about it
I lost my phone
My daughter missed placed her NIN slip. How do I retrieve it. She was not up to 18 years when I registered her. I registered her using my NIN no.
I will be grateful if you can assist me.
Thanks.
I guess she will have to approach the commission through any enrolment centres for proper registration now she’s of age.