Frequently Asked Questions
National Identification Number FAQs
Please see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions for Individual and Corporate accounts.
SECTION A
(General Information)
Q: What is NIN?
A: The National Identification Number (NIN) is the unique number that identifies you as a Nigerian and is issued to you upon enrollment by NIMC (The National Identity Management Commission). It is used to match your biometric data and other details in the National Identity Database during verification and authentication.
Q: What is the importance of this number?
A: The NIN is used to tie all records about an individual into the National Identity Database and is also used as a valid means of establishing or verifying individual identity
Q: How do I register for NIN?
A: You can register in any NIMC ECRs (Enrollment Centres) close to you. Kindly visit https://www.nimc.gov.ng/enrolcen.html for a list of all enrollment centers nationwide.
Q: How do I confirm my NIN number?
A: You can check your NIN Slip, it has your 11 Digit Number at the top left corner, on the second row. You can also dial *346# and press 1 to retrieve your NIN.
Q. I understand that the Federal government has extended the deadline for NIN enrolment and update?
A. Kindly check the NIMC website ( https://nimc.gov.ng/ ) for more information.
Q. I registered my SIM with National ID card and my NIN is on the national ID. Do I still need to link my number?
A. Yes, you need to link your NIN with your number. Please dial *785*Your 11 digit NIN# from the phone number you wish to link. You can also download MyMTN App and follow the NIN banner to submit your NIN details in the app. Kindly note that the NIN you submit to us is subject to further verification by NIMC.
Q: Will I be charged for checking my registration status on *346#
A: No, *346# is a free service for this period, as mandated by the Government.
Q: I got an error when I dialed *346#, does it work on all networks?
A: Yes, the USSD code works for all networks. For further clarifications on your registration status, please send email to NIMC Customer Service- customercare@nimc.gov.ng . You may also visit the nearest NIMC enrolment center https://nimc.gov.ng/nimc-enrolment-centres/
Q: I have lost my NIN slip, how can I obtain another one?
A: Sorry about the loss of your NIN slip. Please visit any bank around you, pay a token of N500 through REMITA, provide your REMITA Teller to any ERC near you and request for a NIN slip print.
Q: Will my line be blocked if my NIN is not captured?
A: According to the NCC directive, telecoms subscribers yet to register for NIN and those yet to link their NIN to their lines will be disconnected if not done within the stipulated period.
Q: How will I know if my number is already updated with my NIN?
A: Once you have submitted your NIN, MTN will send a confirmation message of the status of your submission
Q: My SIM was registered with my Voter’s card, and not National ID card. Am I going to be affected?
A: Regardless of your SIM Registration which you did in the past, this directive is to all citizens and legal residents of Nigeria who are telecoms subscribers. Your NIN must be paired with your SIM Registration details, within the stipulated period.
You can register at any NIMC ECRs (Enrollment Centres) close to you. Kindly visit https://www.nimc.gov.ng/enrolcen.html for the list of all enrollment centers nationwide.
Q: How do I get notified when my NIN is ready after enrolment?
A: The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will communicate this to you after your enrollment.
SECTION B
(Personal Phone Numbers)
Q: I have a NIN. What next should I do?
A: Please provide us with your NIN, for further validation with NIMC. You can do this easily in one of these 4 ways:
After your NIN has been submitted, we will begin the process of verification with the NIMC. If your NIN is verified, we will link it to your MTN SIM registration, and you may not need to do anything further. If it is not possible to verify the NIN you have submitted, then you may need to visit an enrolment Centre, in person.
We shall provide further information on the status of your NIN verification once received from NIMC.
Q: I can see my NIN on my phone after dialing *346#, will my line still be blocked?
A: Your line will only be blocked if you do not link your retrieved NIN with your registered MTN number. Once you confirm your NIN by dialing *346#, Dial *785*Your 11 digit NIN# from the phone number you wish to link. You can also download MyMTN App and follow the NIN banner to submit your NIN details in the app. Kindly note that the NIN you submit to us is subject to further verification by NIMC.
All Customers are obligated to submit their NIN to their service provider; once the NIN you have submitted has been verified successfully with NIMC, your verified NIN will be linked with your SIM registration.
According to the NCC directive, the numbers of customers who are yet to register for NIN will be disconnected if not linked to a NIN by the end of the stipulated period.
Q: I have more than one phone number, how do I link them?
A: You need to link your NIN to each phone number. There are 4 options to doing this
- Dial *785*Your11 digit NIN# free of charge from each number, and following the prompts.
- You can submit your NIN to us on MyMTN app. To download the app if you don’t have it already, text ‘MYMTN’ to 5018 or visit the Google Play or Apple App Store.
- Visit https://nin.mtnonline.mtnonline.com
- Text NIN- your 11 digit NIN to 785 and send e.g: NIN-12345678999 to 785.
Q: How do I link my data SIM with my NIN? Do I need to remove the SIM, insert it to another phone then dial *785#?
A: Yes, kindly remove the SIM from your device and insert to a mobile phone. Then dial *785# to submit your NIN details.
OR
Option 1: Submit the NIN using the MTN NIN link
Retrieving your OTP from your HyNetflex device
- Connect to your HyNetflex
- Open a browser and type in 192.168.0.1 in the address bar to log into the device admin portal
- Enter admin as the password and click Login
- Click on the SMS icon and go to the most recent SMS to retrieve OTP
- If Inbox is full at 100 messages, kindly delete messages so that the OTP message can be received.
Retrieving your OTP from your MiFi device
- Connect to your MiFi
- Open a browser and type in 192.168.8.1 in the address bar to log into the device admin portal
- Enter admin as username and admin as the password and click Login
- Click on the SMS icon and go to the most recent SMS to retrieve OTP
- If Inbox is full at 100 messages, kindly delete messages so that the OTP message can be received.
Q: Can I enroll NIN for my spouse?
A: No, you cannot. Everybody is to enroll for their NIN individually. It is a personal Identity number.
Q: Will my bank account be blocked if my line is not linked to NIN?
A: No. Only SIM cards/phone lines that are not linked with their registered owner’s National Identity Number (NIN) will be blocked.
Q. How can my relatives abroad get NIN?
A: Please click is www.nimc.gov.ng/diasporafor details of diaspora enrollment centres.
Q. I am a foreigner that works in Nigeria and I do not have resident permit, how do I get my NIN
A. Legal residents in Nigeria can obtain NIN.
Q. I am a foreigner and I have a work permit I don’t have NIN but I have an MTN SIM. What do I do?
A. Foreign nationals who are legal residents in Nigeria are can enroll for NIN at any NIMC ECRs (Enrollment Centres) close to them. Kindly visit https://nimc.gov.ng/nimc-enrolment-centres/ for the list of all enrollment centers nationwide.
Section C
(Corporate or Company Phone Numbers)
Q. What is the procedure if the line is registered with an organization’s name?
A. Please contact the Corporate Account Officer for more information.
Q. Why are our lines and other services, being treated separately from other MTN customers?
A. The regulator, NCC instructed all operators to treat corporate accounts as such, due to the multiple phone numbers and we have received interim measures on NIN linkage for businesses.
Q: What do we need to do to avoid disconnection of our corporate lines and what is the deadline for this?
A. You would be required to assign a Telecoms Master to represent your company with their own NINs. Please ensure this is done within the stipulated period announced by NIMC.
Q. Who is a Telecoms Master?
A. Telecoms Master is and must be an Executive Management staff of your company, who will be the primary contact between you and MTN. In the absence of that person, a secondary/operational Telecoms Master who must be at Manager/Assistant Manager/Supervisor level who will have the primary Telecoms Master’s delegation of authority to manage your organization’s telecoms account.
Q. What is required of these Telecom Masters?
A. Your designated Telecoms Masters are expected to submit the following for NIN linkage:
Q. We have other categories of services such as Vehicle Tracking and POS Terminals. How do we capture such numbers?
A. Regarding SIM Cards used for IoT service (POS, Car Tracking, Metering, etc.), the Telecoms Master (primary or secondary depending on the rules stated above), will need to provide his/her NIN alongside a comprehensive list containing assigned SIMs and category of IoT service e.g. POS, Car Tracking, etc.
Q. Who do we reach out to in case we have issues regarding this process?
A. Our Customer Support Partners and Enterprise Helpdesk (call 08031021600 or email es.service@mtn.com) are also on hand to support your Telecoms Master through this process.