The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has increased the cost of correcting the date of birth on the National Identification Number (NIN) system by 75%, sparking concern over affordability and accessibility.
- Correction of date of birth now costs ₦28,750, up from ₦16,340.
- Other modifications (e.g., name, address) now cost ₦2,000, previously ₦1,522.
- First-time NIN registration remains free, but re-issuance of slips is now ₦600.
- VIP enrolment services now attract ₦20,000, and VIP NIN reprint costs ₦3,500.
- Diaspora pricing ranges from $6 to $60, depending on location and service.
Citizens and tech advocates worry the new charges may deepen digital exclusion. “If verifying my name costs more than basic healthcare, we’re not prioritizing the right things,” one Lagos-based NIN applicant told Nigerian Bulletin.
NIMC says the increases reflect inflation (now at 32.7%), alignment with sister agencies, and efforts toward self-sustainability. But as Nigeria continues its digital ID expansion, will these costs deter the most vulnerable from updating vital information?
