How to Print Your NIN Card Without Hassle

The National Identity Number, also known as NIN, is a number that identifies you and is issued to you by the National Identity Commission (NIMC). It is a fact that a person’s identity is of great importance, and we have documents to that effect. The NIN card is a requirement for every citizen, as it verifies your identity at any given time. In this article, we will look into how you can print out your NIN card without waiting tirelessly for your permanent identity card to be delivered.

Who Needs an NIN Card?

Nigerian citizens aged 16 and above are required to have the National Identification Number (NIN). Foreign individuals who have resided in Nigeria for two years or more must also have an NIN card. Students, employees, and individuals seeking government services or benefits also need the NIN for identification. NINs are also required to recover or buy a new SIM card. Banks and online registration also require NIN cards. Recently, students who want to register for UTME must have a NIN.

Importance of NIN Card

The NIN card recovers information you have captured from the National Identity Database. For society, the NINs issued help provide accurate records about living and dead people in the country. It helps track actual transactions and the movement of people within and out of the country. It also helps confirm which individuals are actually in need of particular government services. When accessing services like passport issuance, banking services, land transactions, insurance services, pensions, health insurance, payment of taxes, voter registration, and all government services, your NIN becomes necessary. The NIN reduces the time needed to verify documents to identify you and properly access the services you require. It prevents fraud (419), where someone else impersonates you and gets you into trouble. NIN ensures you are properly identified when receiving health services, e.g., by verifying the blood types of blood donors at hospitals.

NIN’s Integration into Immigration and Other Services

The ongoing database harmonization with other agencies and banks across Nigeria, with the announcement by the Nigeria Immigration Service making the NIN a requirement for obtaining a travel passport, further emphasizes the importance of every individual having his or her own NIN.

Eventually, all agencies and banks will use your NIN for services and transactions. Imagine you walk into an immigration office to apply for an international passport. You are asked for information verifying your identity, and you give them a number, and instantly, the immigration officials connect to the National Identity Database; all your required information appears on their computer screen. They can only see information they are authorized to see. Easy and done, your identity is verified—no need to get extra documents or spend more money to prove who you are.

That is the convenience provided by your NIN. It’s the same thing when you process a driver’s license; you only need to present your NIN, and your identity will be verified. Use your NIN on the NIN slip issued after enrollment, and relevant information about you can be pulled from the National Identity Database to verify your identity. Even outside the country, your NIN remains valuable, and you can easily identify yourself with other proud Nigerians abroad. The Nigerian government would have more accurate statistical data on its citizens living abroad. All individuals in Nigeria should register for and have the NIN to establish their identity.

How to Enroll or Register for a National Identity Number (NIN) Card

Registration and enrollment can be done online on the NIMC website or at accredited walk-in centres. To register, follow these steps:

1. Visit the NIMC Website: Go to your browser and navigate to the National Identity Management Commission website at nimc.gov.ng to download your enrollment form.
2. Fill Out the Form: Complete the form in block letters and proceed to the nearest NIMC enrollment centre.
3. Provide Supporting Documents: Bring a valid ID card, birth certificate, or utility bill; any documents will suffice.
4. Verification and Biometrics: Your application details will be verified, and your biometrics (fingerprints and facial images) will be captured.
5. Receive Your NIN: After processing, your profile will be created, and your national identification number will be received.

How To Print Your NIN Card

At the beginning of the NIN registrations, Nigerians were given two different slips after registration: a coloured slip containing their national identification number and a black and white printout. You were then instructed to return the plastic ID card when you received an SMS from the commission. However, the process has now changed. Registering will give you a black-and-white printout containing your NIN number. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) replaced the NIN plastic cards with NIN slips.

Download and Use the NIMC Mobile App

Here is how to print your NIN online without any hassle:

1. Download the NIMC Mobile App: Find the NIMC mobile app on Apple or Google Play Store and download it.
2. Register on the App: Follow the prompts using the NIMC mobile app.
3. Pay for the NIN Slip: Complete the payment process using the app.
4. Download and Print the NIN Slip: Once payment is confirmed, download and print your NIN slip.

Print Your NIN Slip Using USSD

You can also obtain your NIN slip using a USSD code. Here’s how:

1. Dial the Code: Dial 3462*NIN# to get your login details.
2. Login to NIMC: Use the provided information to log in to the NIMC portal.
3. Choose Your Slip: On the left side of the page, select either the premium or standard slip. The premium slip is the best option if you might convert to an ID card later.
4. Complete Payment: Click “Pay with Remita” to complete the payment and enter your debit card details.
5. Download the Slip: The original NIN slip will be downloaded to your device immediately after payment.

This online method saves you the hassle of queuing in long lines, which is a waste of your time.

Alternative Method to Print Your NIN Slip

You can print and laminate your slip to make it handy and easier to carry. It is also a good physical identification that can easily fit into your pocket, purse, or wallet. The QR code on the slip makes it easy to verify its authenticity by other people scanning it using the NIMC Mobile ID app on their phones.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Enrol and Obtain Your NIN: Ensure you have enrolled and obtained your National Identification Number (NIN). You’ll also need your NIN when installing NIMC’s MWS Mobile ID app.
2. Visit the NIMC Portal: Go to the NIMC online portal.
3. Download the NIMC Mobile ID App: If you haven’t already, install the NIMC MWS Mobile ID app on your mobile device.
4. Get Your PIN: On the app’s home screen, tap the “I Need a Pin” button. Note that the “UserID” and “One Time PIN (OTP)” are displayed in the app’s “Get OTP” section.
5. Login to the Portal: Use the UserID and OTP to log into the myportal.nimc.gov.ng portal.
6. Print the Improved NIN Slip: Go to the “Print Improved NIN Slip” section on the portal’s homepage. Make the relevant payment, then download your slip’s front and rear parts as a PDF document.
7. Print and Laminate: Print out the PDF document, cut it to the right size, fold it, and laminate your improved NIN slip.

Safeguarding Your NIN Information

Be careful not to leave copies (photocopies, image scans, and so on) of your improved NIN slips with anyone else; otherwise, you leave them with copies of your NIN and verification QR code as well. Ensure your NIN information is kept secure to prevent misuse or identity theft.

FAQs

1. Can I print my NIN card online?

You can print your NIN card online using the NIMC mobile app or the NIMC portal. Follow the steps provided in this article to do so without hassle.

2. How much does it cost to print the NIN slip?

The cost may vary, but a small fee is typically charged for downloading and printing the NIN slip through the NIMC portal or mobile app. Payment is made via the Remita platform.

3. Is the NIN slip as valid as the plastic NIN card?

Yes, the NIN slip is as valid as the plastic NIN card for identification purposes. It contains the same information and is accepted by all agencies requiring NIN for services.

4. Can I use my NIN slip outside Nigeria?

Yes, your NIN slip can be used to verify your identity outside Nigeria, especially when accessing services that require NIN verification for Nigerian citizens.

5. What should I do if I lose my NIN slip?

If you lose your NIN slip, you can reprint it by following the same online steps using the NIMC mobile app or the NIMC portal. However, to prevent misuse, ensure you keep your NIN information secure.