Why am I being asked to submit my NIN to my Network provider?
By submitting your NIN to your mobile network provider your mobile number will be linked to your NIN, thereby providing a means of verifying your identity and safeguarding both your identity and mobile line.
What is the step by step approach for linking a SIM to NIN?
- Confirm your NIN (by either checking your NIN enrolment slip issued by NIMC or dialling *346# as explained in Q.10 above.
- Submit your NIN to your network provider(s) via the online, USSD or other channels provided.
- Your Mobile Network provider will then validate the submitted NIN on NIMC database and link the SIM to NIN if validation is successful.
Is there a way people can find out their NIN without a slip, especially if the slip is lost or damaged?
YES. Individuals who have done their NIN registration but have lost their slip, or are without a slip, can retrieve their NIN from NIMC by dialling USSD code *346# with the phone number that was provided to NIMC during their national identity registration.
Does *346# work on all networks?
YES, the USSD code works for all networks. However, if you have registered for a NIN and you keep getting an error message, please dial your service provider’s help line. If you are yet to register for NIN please visit any NIMC Enrolment Centres (ERC) close to you to enrol or visit www.nimc.gov.ng for the list of all enrolment centres nationwide.
Is there an alternate USSD code for submitting NIN or linking SIM to NIN other than *346#?
Yes, you can use *996# and follow the steps to link NIN; or use *996*NIN# to submit NIN for linkage with SIM. The 996 code works across all networks.
Can the NIN be linked to SIM without the physical presence of the subscriber?
YES. Subscribers can link their NIN to their SIM through the online and USSD channels provided by their Network Provider(s). The process for doing this is explained in Q10 and Q.19.
If I have more than one phone number, is one NIN appropriate and how do I link them?
- An individual’s NIN is his/her unique identity number. Persons with multiple lines are required to update their SIM records by submitting their NIN to their different Network Providers.
- The different Networks have provided simple solutions, which include short codes to help you link your NIN to your different SIMS.
- For MTN, dial *785# using the phone number you wish to link, enter your NIN and submit or dial *785*Your NIN# from the phone number you wish to link.
- For Airtel, dial *121*1# on the Airtel line you wish to link, type 1 for NIN Capture and press send, enter your NIN and wait for the message confirming submission.
- For Globacom, simply send “UPDATENIN NIN FirstName and LastName” to 109. For example, send “UPDATENIN 12345678912 Tony Umoh” to 109
- For 9Mobile, simply visit the online self-service NIN update portal at www.9mobile.com.ng/NIN
What happens after I provide my NIN to the mobile network provider?
The Network provider will work with the NCC and NIMC to verify the NIN you submitted. You will be notified in due course whether your SIM has been successfully linked to your NIN or whether you need to provide any further details.
If I don’t have a NIN or fail to submit to my Network Provider, will my line be blocked after the deadline?
- The Ministerial Task Force on the NIN and SIM registration has extended the deadline for subscribers who have NIN to three (3) weeks from December 30, 2020 to January 19, 2021.
- For subscribers without NIN, the enrolment deadline has been extended by six (6) weeks from December 30, 2020 to February 9, 2021.
- Subscribers are strongly advised to use this period to ensure they enrol for their NIN and link same with their SIM as SIMs not linked may be blocked from the network after the deadline.
How authentic are the links circulating online for SIM update? E.g. is the code *346# genuine for retrieval of NIN and others?
YES. The *346# USSD code provided by NIMC is genuine for retrieval of NIN. Please note that only links and channels communicated by Mobile Network Providers, NIMC or NCC are authentic.
Why is the exercise (of linking the SIM to NIN) not free of charge for people? – Why the N20.00 charge?
The linkage of SIM to NIN is free. NIMC has waived the N20.00 (Twenty Naira) NIN retrieval charge and other verification costs for the duration of the SIM update exercise.
Why did the NCC direct a halt to registration of new SIMs (even welcome back) and what does the NCC want to achieve with it?
- The directive to halt the registration of new SIMs is to ensure compliance with set quality standards and requirements as well as address national security concerns surrounding the use of SIMs.
- However, the directive does not apply to SIM replacements (welcome back). Mobile Network Providers may perform SIM replacement for subscribers already registered and active on the network, provided that the subscriber presents a NIN and follows the prescribed procedures.
Is the directive for reasons of security, harmonization of data, or for revenue as people are speculating due to the N20.00 charge by network operators for the use of *346# code?
The directive to link SIM to NIN is primarily to address national security concerns surrounding the use of SIMs. It is also for harmonization of data of all Nigerian residents so as to create an authentic national citizens database which government can use to improve serves to the citizenry and address security concerns. There is no revenue objective attached to the exercise, and to prove this, the Government has waived the N20 charge during the period of the registration.
Will my bank account be blocked if my line is not linked to NIN?
Only SIM cards/phone lines that are not registered with the National Identity Numbers (NIN) will be blocked at the end of this exercise. Government may however introduce other measures it deems necessary in the best interest of all Nigerians in future.