Starting May 2, Nigerians will pay significantly more to update or correct their National Identification Number (NIN) records, as NIMC rolls out a revised fee structure across all its centres.
- NIN modification (e.g., name, date of birth) now costs ₦15,000, up from ₦5,000.
- Mobile number updates now cost ₦5,000 instead of ₦1,000.
- Card renewal/replacement will now cost ₦10,000.
- NIMC says changes are part of a service improvement and revenue strategy.
- Many Nigerians online have expressed frustration, citing cost-of-living pressures.
For millions juggling rising costs, this fee hike feels like one more thing to worry about. While the National Identity Management Commission says it's about improving services, Nigerians will mostly feel the pinch in their pockets. Digital identity is crucial, but when updating basic details costs as much as feeding a family for days, it risks deepening exclusion, especially for low-income citizens. The real question is: will the service actually improve?
Is Nigeria’s digital identity system becoming a luxury, and what does that mean for the average citizen?
