News
Nigerians abroad can now register for NIN remotely
By: Amarachi Okonkwo
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians living overseas can now register for their National Identification Number (NIN) through accredited enrolment centres abroad, eliminating the need to return home for registration.
The commission, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the programme initially introduced in 2019 enables eligible Nigerians to complete biometric registration through a network of licensed partners spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
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Under the initiative, NIMC licenses Nigerian companies that work with partner organisations in host countries to capture applicants’ fingerprints, facial images, and supporting documents on behalf of the commission.
According to Ayodele Babalola, Technical Adviser to the Director-General and CEO of NIMC on Media and Communications, the programme is increasingly vital as the federal government integrates the NIN into access to public and financial services.
“The NIN is now required for a growing number of official transactions,” Babalola said. He noted that since March 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made NIN mandatory for bank account operations, while it remains compulsory for passport applications and renewals. The identification number is also required for SIM card registration, under regulations enforced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Nigeria’s diaspora population, estimated at over 17 million, represents one of the largest in Africa, according to the International Organisation for Migration. The World Bank ranks Nigeria among the top global recipients of diaspora remittances, with annual inflows exceeding $20 billion in recent years.
Despite their economic contributions, many Nigerians abroad remain outside the national identity database, restricting their ability to access government services or renew travel documents efficiently.
NIMC said enrolled Nigerians can access their NIN via the NIMC Mobile Digital ID App, available on Android and iOS, which provides a virtual identity card with a QR code and allows users to tokenise or mask their NIN for secure transactions.
The commission also operates an online self-service portal, enabling registered users to update personal information such as names, dates of birth, and phone numbers remotely.
Prospective applicants are advised to visit NIMC’s official website to identify authorised enrolment centres in their countries of residence.
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