A statement signed by the Technical Assistant Information Technology to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi, said the move is part of the Federal Government’s Policy to improve the process of obtaining NIN and linking it to SIM, which was sent to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for implementation.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has approved the development and release of an improved National Identity Number (NIN) slip and a mobile application to help in securing NIN.
This according to the Ministry is part of the Federal
Government’s policy to improve the process of obtaining NIN and linking it to
SIMs, which was sent to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and
the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for implementation.
This was made known on Thursday by Femi Adeluyi, Technical
Assistant, Information Technology to the ministry.
He said that the mobile application has been sent to the
National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, and the Nigerian Communications
Commission, NCC, for implementation.
He added that the new improved NIN slip is pocket friendly
and an easy to verify version.
“The N20 and N40 fees for NIN verification by individuals
and mobile network operators, respectively, were also waived.
“These efforts are aimed at supporting the policy to link
subscribers’ NIN to their SIM, which was approved by the government earlier in
the year and communicated to the NCC on Feb. 4, 2020.
“The highly anticipated Web Service (MWS) application called
the NIMC mobile app and the improved NIN slip are now available for public
use,” the minister’s aide said.
Mr Adeluyi explained that the application provided a secure
channel for all Nigerians and legal residents to easily verify and authenticate
their identities on-the-go using smartphones, adding that it also enables them
to link the NIN to their phone numbers.
He also said that the application offered a built-in
harmonisation process that allowed its use across other government services
including the NCC, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal Road Safety
Commission and National Health Insurance Scheme, among others.
“It can be accessed via a self-service portal where people
who already have been issued the NIN can log in, download a PDF of the document
in colour, if preferred, print and laminate as desired.
“The current NIN slip will remain valid and will be
gradually phased-out,” he said.
He said that the application was already available on the
Google Play Store for Android users and App Store for IOS users.