A few days ago, the Federal Government of Nigeria issued a directive to all telecommunications companies to block all SIM cards after a period of 14
A few days ago, the Federal Government of Nigeria issued a directive to all telecommunications companies to block all SIM cards after a period of 14 days without a NIN associated with it.
While we haven't been provided with any information on why the Federal Government published these guidelines in such a short time for Nigerians, anyone with a SIM card is advised to link their NIN to any new developments that may be in preparation. You can also check the NIN Registration center closer to you.
Since the announcement of this new order, all telecom companies have launched methods that allow customers to connect their NIN to their various SIM cards. For individuals who have difficulty linking their NIN to their SIM card, I am sharing a simple method to link your NIN to any network in your home. More details on this are discussed later in this article.
First, let's understand what NIN is.
What is NIN?
NIN (National Identification Number) is a special eleven digit set number that is given to a person by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) upon successful registration.
This number is used to track every citizen registered in the country and contains personal information of each individual including name, date of birth, address, biometrics, digital signature, and more.
According to the NIMC, the NIN number (can) be used for the following:
- Get your national electronic ID card
- Travel (application and acquisition of an international passport)
- Open a personal bank account
- Get your driver's license
- Get your permanent voter card
- Participate in the national health insurance scheme
- Your tax payment
- Transactions related to your non-contributing pension plan
- Access to welfare and other related services from the Nigerian government
- Transactions that have implications for social security
- Land transactions covered by the Land Use Act
- All other transactions that may be specified by NIMC and stated in the Federal Government Gazette
Further details on NIN can be found on the official NIMC website.
But I don't have a NIN. How do I register a NIN?
To apply for a NIN, all you have to do is go to the NIN registration centers near you to apply. To speed up the registration process, you can visit the NIMC website and fill out the NIN pre-registration form. After you have completed the form you need to download a copy of the completed form and bring it to the registration center near you, this way you will provide all the necessary information necessary for the process and only a few things to do confirmation in the middle and that's it. Your data will be processed and you will be given a temporary national ID containing your data and NIN.
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I registered but lost my NIN slip?
For lost NIN slips, you will need to retrieve/reprint your slip. For this you will have to pay the amount of N500 via REMITA at your nearest bank; send your Remita Cashier to the NIMC Enrollment Center (ERC) near you and ask for a printed NIN slip.
How to check NIN on any Network?
Alternatively, you can retrieve your NIN on any network using the USSD NIMC service. To do this, follow the simple steps below:
- Dial *346# on your mobile with the same phone number you provided during registration.
- You will receive a welcome message and instructions that read; choose 1 for "NIN Retrieval" or 2 to cancel - Choose 1 for NIN Retrieval.
- Your NIN will be displayed on the next screen, you can now write it down for the installation process.
How to Link Your Phone Number to Your NIN
For those who have a NIN and want to link it to their SIM card, follow the step by step guide for each network below:
For MTN users
To link your MTN line to your NIN, You just need to visit the MTN website and fill in the NIN form to link your number or dial *785# on your mobile and follow the instructions to update your NIN. You can also do this in myMTNApp if you have it installed.
For Airtel users
To link your Airtel line to your NIN, Go to the NIN Airtel update page and provide the required information. Alternatively, you can update your NIN with USSD code *121*1# on your Airtel line, on the next page, enter your 11 digit NIN and send.
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Wait for a confirmation message. If you get an error, please wait a few minutes and try again.
For GLO users
To link your NIN with your Glo line, Go to the Glo NIN update page and enter your details. Or update your NIN with a text message. Open your messaging app and send - "UpdateNIN NIN First Name Last Name" (eg UPDATENIN 12345678900 Afolabi Achiever) to 109.
For 9Mobile users
To link your NIN with your 9mobile line, Go to the 9mobile NIN update page and enter the required information, or dial *346# on your 9mobile number and follow the step by step guide to link your number.
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