In this article, I will be showing you how to check you National Identification Number (NIN) from your phone by dialing a USSD code. The good thing is that you can actually get your NIN displayed on your phone even if you have not visited any National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) office for official registration.

I am actually giving out this information based on personal experience. I have not visited any NIMC office before to get myself registered for a National Identity Card, but I actually got my NIN delivered to my phone after dialing this code. Not everyone will be eligible for this because I believe there are certain conditions attached to it. So, if you want to check your NIN right from the comfort of your home, just read this article to the end.

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It is no longer news that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered the telecommunication companies in the country to ensure their subscribers update their SIM registration information with their National Identity Number (NIN) or get their SIM card blocked within duration of two weeks.

This latest update from the NCC will trigger lots of Nigerian to make their ways to various NIMC offices located in all parts of the country from tomorrow. They simply will like to get registered in order to get a NIN, or maybe to request for their lost ones. But not everyone will like to embark in such a stressful journey from tomorrow (just like me), so I will be showing you how you can check your NIN by dialing a USSD code from your phone, even if you are not registered with NIMC.

Before I proceed, let me give a brief introduction about what the National Identity Number is all about.

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An Overview of the National Identity Management Commission

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), created in 2010, was mandated by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to register people the Act covers and give each person a unique National Identification Number (NIN).

According to the NIMC, the essence of each individual having an NIN is part of a measure to create a national identity database and to put a stop to both double identity and identity fraud. Upon registration, individuals will be provided with an NIN and eventually a national ID card.

In 2018, the NIMC revealed plans to complete issuing electronic identity cards (e-ID) to 70 million Nigerians by the end of December 2019. However, with many people complaining about not having the e-ID after the registration, it appears that the commission has not met its target.

In addition, the commission is also expected to provide citizens, as well as others legally residing within the country, with a General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC).

The GMPC is embedded with a payment chip to enable users to withdraw cash from an automated teller machine (ATM). Consequently, the commission partnered with Chams consortiums, OneSecureCard consortium, Secure ID, and Iris Technologies to provide the data capture services and the GMPC.

How to Check Your NIN Using USSD Code

If you want to retrieve your NIN from the comfort of your home, simply follow the steps outlined below.

How to Check Your NIN Using USSD Code
  • Dial *346# from your phone
  • From the options displayed, select “NIN Retrieval”, by typing in ‘1’, if you are using the same phone number you enrolled with for your NIN
  • Your NIN will now be displayed right on your screen. All you have to do is to copy the numbers out or take a screenshot

NOTE: using this service attracts a N20 (tweny naira) fee only (deducted from your phone credit balance).

Conclusion

From my personal observation, seems you can only retrieve your NIN by dialing *346# if you have registered with the National Identity Commission in any of their offices in Nigeria. But if you are just like me who hasn’t visited any of their offices before, retrieving your NIN using this method will only work if you are dialing from a phone number which is associated with your voter’s card, driver’s license, or BVN. I guess this is the reason why I am eligible for this.

You can try it out, and see if it works for you. Simply drop a comment if it does, or lay your complain if it doesn’t. Use the comment box to share your thoughts.