The announcement was made on Thursday in a press statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke.
According to the statement, “Your self-service account is uniquely tied to the browser and device used during registration. Access to your account is therefore limited to that specific browser on that particular device.”
The Commission warned that users trying to log in from different devices or browsers may be locked out of their accounts. Additionally, clearing a browser’s cache could reset its identity, also leading to access issues.
In such cases, users will be required to initiate an unlinking process to restore access. However, the Commission has further capped the number of unlock requests to five. “Once your browser and device are locked, you are permitted a maximum of five unlock attempt requests. No further requests will be processed after this limit is exceeded,” the statement emphasized.
NIMC noted that these restrictions are part of broader efforts to prevent unauthorized access and maintain the confidentiality of users’ personal information.
“These are some of the measures put in place by the Commission to safeguard and protect the identity of the users of the self-service modifications portal,” it added, urging users to strictly adhere to the guidelines to avoid service disruptions.
The NIN self-service portal is designed to allow individuals to make certain personal data changes online—such as updating names, addresses, or dates of birth. However, with the newly introduced browser and device restrictions, users are now advised to be especially cautious when accessing their accounts to avoid being locked out.
Significant Increase in Data Modification Fees
Alongside the new access restrictions, NIMC has also implemented a revised pricing structure for NIN-related services, marking a sharp increase in several key fees.
The most notable adjustment is the correction of date of birth, now set at ₦28,574, up from ₦16,340—a 75% increase. Other data field modifications, such as changes to name or address, will now cost ₦2,000, up from the previous fee of ₦1,522, representing a 31% hike.
While initial NIN enrolment and the first issuance of a slip remain free, other associated fees have also seen upward revisions:
- Reissuance of NIN slip: ₦600 (up from ₦500)
- Premium enrolment services at licensed lounges and visa centers: ₦20,000
- VIP reissuance of NIN slips: ₦3,500
For Nigerians living abroad, NIMC has also updated its pricing:
- Adult enrolment in African countries: $50
- Child enrolment: $30
- Slip reissuance: $6
- Correction of date of birth: $55
- Other modifications: $10
- Name correction (outside Africa): $60
The Commission justified the price adjustments by stating that the previous rates had remained unchanged for over a decade. “The new price regime ensures alignment with current operational costs and industry standards,” it noted.
With these changes, NIMC appears to be tightening security and optimizing revenue generation from its identity management services. However, the new restrictions and increased fees may pose fresh challenges for users, particularly those with limited digital literacy or access to consistent devices.
Users are advised to take precautions to retain access—by avoiding cache clearance or switching devices—while also preparing for increased costs in cases where personal data updates are required.