NIMC denies allegation of extortion at NIN enrollment centers

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has denied the allegation of bribery and extortions levelled against its staff across the country.

Responding to a trending post on social media that NIMC staff were demanding money before they could enrol people for the National Identification Number (NIN), the Commission said it has “a Zero tolerance policy towards all forms of extortion while ensuring that staff behave in an ethical manner at all times whilst performing their duties at work.”

It insisted that enrollment for the NIN is completely free while noting that only modification of data attracts N500, except change of name which is N15,000. The Commission also denied the claims that its server has been down, adding that NIN enrolment and data modifications are still ongoing across all its centres.

On Tuesday a Nigerian, @PIDOMNIGERIA, had made a post on the microblogging site, X, alleging corruption across NIMC centres nationwide.

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“The National Identity Management Commission @nimc_ng is a complete mess. Massive corruption is currently going on in all NIMC offices nationwide. They charge exorbitant amounts, which are not in their books. They take bribes before service can be rendered or fast-tracked.

“But the worst of it all is, their server has been endlessly down. Thereby denying people their chance to get international passports, travel documents, and other uses. A lot of people have lost their overseas admission, or employment opportunities this year, because of NIMC server problems,” the post read.

Some followers of the account also corroborated the post by sharing their experiences at various enrollment centres.

While advising Nigerians to report any form of extortion they notice at any of its centres, the Commission said:

“Enrolment is FREE and all modification is N500 per field (except for Change of Date of Birth which is N15,000 for processing your request and it is non-refundable.

Applicants are advised to report any extortion via the following designated channels; [email protected] or call 08157691214 /09034959433 for any payment that is not via remita or above the approved fee.”

The Commission added that in a bid to curb any form of lapses and as part of its commitment to ensuring the highest standards of data security and compliance, all its Front End Partners (FEPs) are now undergoing a revalidation process for their licenses.

NIMC said it is also working tirelessly to ensure that enrolment and modification of Data are done seamlessly for Nigerians and legal residents