NIMC uses words that sound alike and mean different things. Enrolment is not modification, and a reissue is not a correction. Mixing them up can cost you money.
Here are the terms you will meet, in plain English, with what each costs and where to read more. It is part of our NIN and NIMC guides.
Getting and changing a NIN
- Enrolment. The first-time registration that gives you a NIN. Standard enrolment is free. See how to get a NIN.
- Premium enrolment. A paid, optional route at ₦20,000, offered at licensed premium lounges, visa processing centres and pre-booked services. Standard enrolment stays free.
- Modification. NIMC's word for changing details on an existing record. A date of birth costs ₦28,574, and other fields cost ₦2,000. See what NIN modification is.
- Correction and change. People say correction for fixing a mistake and change for a genuine update, such as a new surname. Both go through the modification process. See name correction vs name change.
Slips
- Slip. The printed record of your NIN. Your first slip is free.
- Improved slip. The slip you can print yourself on plain A4 paper, front and back. It comes in standard and premium versions. See NIN slip types.
- Reissue. A replacement slip. It costs ₦600, and it reprints the record as it is. A reissue does not correct details.
- VIP reissue. The VIP-service version of a replacement, at ₦3,500. It is not the price of printing the premium slip yourself.
Access words
- Self-service portal. NIMC's portal for data changes, at selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng. Since 2 Oct 2024, it is the route for all data changes.
- Device rule. NIMC ties your portal account to the same device and browser used to create the account. Clearing your browser cache can lock it.
- Unlinking. NIMC's formal process for restoring a locked account. You reach it after five failed attempts. See locked out of the portal.
- NINAuth. NIMC's identity app, at ninauth.nimc.gov.ng. You can download your slip in it. See NIMC self-service portal vs NINAuth.
- USSD. The short code *346#, which retrieves a forgotten NIN. See how to retrieve a NIN by USSD.
Words from neighbouring offices
- Attestation of birth. A National Population Commission (NPC) document for adults aged 18 and above. NPC lists a NIN and a court sworn affidavit for it. See NPC attestation of birth for adults.
- Tax ID. A tax number issued jointly by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), formerly FIRS, and the Joint Revenue Board. For an individual it is linked to your NIN. Read NIN, BVN and Tax ID: what is the difference.
- BVN. A bank number. NIMC issues the NIN, not the BVN. See linking your NIN to your bank account.
- GAID. The General Application and Implementation Directive 2025. Article 36(4) of the GAID 2025 says errors made by a data controller or processor when inputting personal data are corrected at no cost to the person. That is the basis for the free date of birth fix when NIMC made the error. See the free date of birth fix.
Common mistakes
- Paying for a reissue to fix a wrong detail. A reissue reprints the same record.
- Treating enrolment and modification as one service. They have different fees and different routes.
- Looking for an edit option in NINAuth. NIMC sends data changes to the self-service portal.
- Treating the Tax ID as the NIN. They are linked, but guides describe separate numbers.
If your NIN details need a fix, you can start a NIN modification with Docufy. It collects your details in the right format, a vetted partner firm files it, and NIMC decides it. A NIN modification needs no office visit unless you change your photo.