...Says NIN registration is free

By Adeyemi Obadimu

The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Abisoye Coker, promised seamless registration process for the National identification number NIN across the country.


She said this, during an interactive session with the Newsmen in Abuja on Friday, urging Nigerians to comply with rules and regulations of the NIMC for ease in processes.


As citizens of Nigeria, it is a duty upon us to follow due process so as to get things done rightly.


Coker, clearly stated that, NIN enrolment is free.

There are reports of criminals disguising as agents of NIMC, thereby collecting money from people to enroll them.

When you pay for enrollment, you are being scammed because the data is not registered in NIMC system. Most people lay complains of been registered but can't find their data on the system.

"Anyone who pays for it is worsening their situation. Some of the offenders have been arrested and are facing prosecution." she said.


"We are doing our best to ensure that Nigerians are satisfied, and we must have central system this is why we are upgrading our systems".

With these, they proposed a General Multipurpose National Identify Card (GMPC).


It is a single multipurpose National ID card, designed to reduce the need to carry multiple cards.

NIMC in collaboration with other Government Agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration service, to include the general multi-purpose national identity card in their programs.


Abisoye also said that, The Nigerian immigration service use the NIMC information to issue passport which has never been done in past history.


She pointed, that people who apply for the GMPC, will have to request with their NIN through the self -service online portal, NIMC offices, or their banks inline with existing protocols.

Also to acquire the card there will be a fixed amount to be paid for purchasing it.

"Just like we pay to access ATM card for banks, Nigerians will pay to access the GMPC within or before 48 hours of payment.

"We want to register all Nigerians and gradually we are reaching our goal. Over 107.734m Nigerians have been enrolled into NIN database she added


However, we will send people to the nooks and crannies of the country so as to reach people who are not registered.

This can only be achieved if Nigerians comply not to fall victim of scammers.