By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some 60 million Nigerians have so far registered for the National Identity Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), representing only 30 per cent of a population of 200 million.
Possession of a NIN is compulsory for engaging in a variety of activities, from getting a government job to opening a bank account.
Because people complain that it is difficult to obtain the NIN, with allegations of extortion in some cases, the deadline for registration has been shifted several times since last year and is now October 31, 2021 – that is if the NIMC delivers.
NIN details are stored on the National Identity Database (NIDB) managed by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy through the NIMC.
NIMC Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, said it would not have been possible to register 60 million people so far without the cooperation of all stakeholders including the general public.
The transformational value of a robust and inclusive foundational ID system in today’s world cannot be overstated and the NIMC will sustain the momentum, he explained in a statement reported by Vanguard.
“As a Commission, we’re committed to keeping this momentum of scaling up and speeding up NIN issuance nationwide for better identification, authentication and improved service delivery.
“It is the Primary Identification for all citizens and legal residents,” Adegoke said.
NIN required for jobs, passport, bank account, driver’s licence
Getting government jobs, grants, and loans now requires a NIN, apart from having to link it with a mobile telephone number, in a sweeping digital overhaul to capture the data of all residents in Nigeria, including diplomats.
An enrolment centre has been set up at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja to register diplomats.
The centre was set up in January by Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Ibrahim Pantami, based on the request of Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats.
“The National Identity Number is mandatory for diplomats who will reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more.
“It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country as stated in Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007,’’ said a statement issued by Femi Adeluyi, Technical Adviser to Pantami.
“The law has made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain NIN since 2007. However, compliance has been low, until recently.
“The federal ministry of communications and the digital economy remains committed to creating an enabling environment for all Nigerians and legal residents to obtain their Digital Identity Number.”
The National Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom carriers to block the lines of subscribers who fail to link their SIMs with their NIN after the deadline of October 31.
Key areas requiring NIN
Nairametrics articulates below some key areas demanding the use of NIN, apart from linking it with SIM.
· Voter’s card registration
NIN is now accepted as a means of identification for obtaining the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).
· Bank account opening and reactivation
NIN is being used to access a wide range of services in banks and the financial services industry, from documentation for opening an account, identification for payment of second or third party cheques, to reactivation of dormant accounts.
· Consular services at Nigerian embassies
NIN is being used as a means of identification of Nigerians to access services at Nigerian embassies and missions abroad.
· Passport
NIN is compulsory for anyone to obtain a fresh passport or renew an old one from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
· Driver’s licence
It is compulsory to use a NIN to apply for or renew a driver’s licence from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
· Vehicle registration
Without a NIN, no vehicle registration or renewal can be done by the FRSC. No waiver is allowed.
· Government-related jobs and grants/loans
Most government-related jobs cannot be secured without a NIN. You need your NIN in the job application form.
· Admission to tertiary institutions
Most tertiary institutions, in addition to other means of identification, require a NIN to process admission and registration of new students.
About NIN
The NIN is an eleven-digit number issued to every citizen and legal resident of Nigeria from age 0 under Section 27 of the NIMC Act.
The primary purpose of NIN is to track individuals for social security purposes but in reality has become an identification number for taxation and other purposes.
Enrolment consists of recording of one’s data and capture of the 10 fingerprints, head-to-shoulder facial picture, and digital signature. They are used to cross-check existing data on the National Identity Database to confirm that there is no previous entry of the same data.
NIN is not the same thing as the National e-ID Card which is a physical token. NIN can be used on its own for digital identity verification without the e-ID card.