How to check my NIN number online? 3 Easy Ways

You are currently viewing How to check my NIN number online? 3 Easy Ways
How to check my NIN number online? 3 easy way you can do that right way

How to check my NIN number online? 3 Easy Ways

As a mandatory means of Identification in Nigeria, NIN registration is one of the key things that you have to do in Nigeria, as long as you live within the country or anywhere else, but you are a citizen of Nigeria. If you use a phone line, you require having a valid NIN regardless of the network provider (MTN, GLO, Airtel). In fact, at some point, there were directives to disconnect mobile lines that were not linked to a genuine NIN.

Even banks all over the country requires that you have registered and obtain a NIN before you can run an account in Nigeria, and this is not unconnected to the fact that the Nigerian government is now focused on having all Nigerians in their database.

In this article, we will be exploring what NIN stands for, and the need for all citizens of Nigeria to have done their NIN registration. Most importantly, how you can check your NIN number online with or without a tracking ID

What is NIN?

According to the National Identity Management Commission, a body authorized by the Nigerian government to create and manage a database of all citizens in Nigeria, NIN stands for National Identification Number. It is a unique eleven-digit number that is assigned to every Nigerian citizen at birth or naturalization. The NIN is stored in a central database known as the National Identity Database (NIDB).

The NIN is used to verify the identity of an individual for various purposes, such as opening a bank account, applying for a credit card, registering to vote, etc. It is also used by law enforcement agencies to track criminals and suspected terrorists.

Why is NIN important in Nigeria?

Having a database of citizens has been proven to be of great importance all over the world. It helps solve critical national issues like insecurity, unemployment, and so on. A use case scenario is helping to track down a mobile phone number and matching it to an identity that has already been register to determine who has committed a certain crime. What is perhaps interesting is that most crimes committed are always linked to a phone call, one text message, or even just a phone number.

Another example where NIN has come in handy is the recent COVID-19 pandemic. With NIN, the government has been able to properly keep track of its citizens, provide them with palliatives, and also offer other forms of support that are needed during this difficult time. NIN has also helped in the process of distributing the recently approved N10,000 stimulus package to vulnerable Nigerians.

The NIN also helps the government to know who is residing in the country and keep track of their activities. It also makes it difficult for people to have multiple identities, which can be used for criminal activities.

How to check my NIN number online?

If you have been asking this particular question “How to check my NIN number online”, Checking your NIN online has been made easy by the commission due to adequate technology used in the process. Depending on what is convenient for you, there are three easy ways you can check your NIN on your mobile phone easily.

Method 1: Check your NIN using a Website (FREE)

By going to the NIN website, you can easily check your number instantly. All you need is any internet enabled device, be it your smartphone or your laptop, and you should get your NIN immediately. Here are the steps on how to check NIN online without stress;

  • Visit the NIMC portal at: http://www.nimc.gov.ng/
  • Enter your First name, Last name, and Date of birth in the required columns
  • Your NIN will be displayed on the next page.

Method 2: Check your NIN using SMS

Just in case you do not have any internet-enabled device at the time you need to get your number, an alternative to this is using SMS. You can as well check your NIN by sending an SMS to the NIMC short code, which is “5599”, using the format; NIN First name Last name.

For example, NIN Oludare Junaid.

You will receive a response displaying your NIN within a short while.

Method 3: Check your NIN using short code

If all you want is just to check NIN without stress, you can easily do that by dialling a NIMC shortcode on your phone.

To use this service, simply go through the following steps:

  • First step is by dialing *346# on any phone and network provider in Nigeria (MTN, Glo, AIrtel)
  • You will instantly get a few options, from the options displayed, select “NIN Retrieval”, by typing in ‘1’, if you are using the same phone number you enrolled in for your NIN
  • Follow the steps displayed on your screen and provide the required inputs
  • Note that using this service attracts a ₦20 (twenty Naira) fee only (deducted from your phone credit balance).
How to Check NIN *346#

How to check my NIN number online using a tracking ID?

If you had enrolled for your NIN but cannot seem to remember it, there is no need to panic as NIMC has provided a NIN retrieval option using your tracking ID.

To retrieve NIN with Tracking ID, simply follow these steps:

Visit NIMC portal at: http://www.nimc.gov.ng/

Click on NIN Retrieval

Enter your First name, Last name, NIN Tracking ID, and email

Your NIN will be sent to your registered email address.

Common errors on NIN and how you correct them

The common errors and mistakes that people make during registration process of your NIN may include;

NIN already exists:

This means you had previously registered but cannot remember your NIN. To retrieve NIN with Tracking ID, simply follow these steps:

Visit NIMC portal at: http://www.nimc.gov.ng/

Click on NIN Retrieval

Enter your First name, Last name, NIN Tracking ID, and email

Your NIN will be sent to your registered email address.

NIN not found:

This means that NIMC has no record of you in their database, which means you have not registered for NIN. To register, please follow this link to NIMC NIN Registration

NIN Tracking ID not found:

This means that NIMC could not find your tracking ID in their database. You can retrieve your NIN using your email address by following these steps:

  • Visit NIMC portal at: https://www.nimc.gov.ng/
  • Click on NIN Retrieval
  • Enter your First name, Last name, and email
  • Your NIN will be sent to your registered email address.

If you have other issues like a mistake in your name during the registration process or you need a change in data of birth, you should visit the nearest NIN office to have this resolved for you. This may require you to generate a Remita fee of ₦1,000 before the changes can be effected and it may also take some days before it is ready.

Conclusion

There are a few ways that you can check your NIN number online. The easiest way is to visit the NIMC portal and enter your name and date of birth. You can also check your NIN using SMS or by dialing a short code on your phone. If you have any issues retrieving or checking your NIN, you can visit the nearest NIN office.

Read also

Website Hacking in Nigeria? Don’t expose your customer’s info!
Plans to hire website designer in Nigeria? 3 things you must consider
New Website No Traffic? 5 Reasons why no one is visiting your website

Tags: ,

Oludare Junaid

I am an online conversion expert with over 5 years experience in online customer acquisition through paid channels and Google Search Engine with more than 100,000 new customers acquired and millions in revenue for my clients that cross across various sectors.