Elegbede Abiodun
The National Identity Management Commission has declared that Nigerians living outside the country can now obtain their National Identification Number through accredited enrolment centres abroad, eliminating the need to travel home for registration.
The commission unveiled this in a statement on Tuesday that the overseas enrolment programme, introduced in 2019, allows eligible applicants to complete biometric registration through a network of licensed partners operating across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Under the arrangement, NIMC licenses Nigerian companies that collaborate with partner organisations in host countries to capture applicants’ fingerprints, facial images, and supporting documents on behalf of the commission.
According to the Technical Adviser to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC on Media and Communications, Ayodele Babalola, the initiative has become increasingly important as the federal government continues to integrate the NIN into access to public and financial services.
“The NIN is now required for a growing number of official transactions,” Babalola said. Since March 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria has mandated the use of the NIN for bank account operations, while it remains compulsory for passport applications and renewals.
The number is also required for SIM card registration under regulations enforced by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Nigeria’s diaspora population is estimated at more than 17 million people, according to data from the International Organisation for Migration, making it one of the largest in Africa. The World Bank also ranks Nigeria among the world’s top recipients of diaspora remittances, with annual inflows exceeding $20bn in recent years.
Despite their economic contribution, a significant number of Nigerians abroad remain outside the national identity database, limiting their ability to access government services or renew travel documents without delays linked to missing identity credentials.
NIMC said enrolled Nigerians abroad can access their NIN through the NIMC Mobile Digital ID App, available on Android and iOS devices. The application provides a virtual identity card with a QR code and enables users to tokenise or mask their NIN when required.
The commission also operates an online self-service modification portal that allows registered users to update personal details such as names, dates of birth, and phone numbers remotely.
NIMC advised prospective applicants to visit its official website for information on authorised enrolment locations and to identify licensed centres in their countries of residence.
