The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said Nigerians applying to change their date of birth on the National Identification Number (NIN) database would henceforth be required to provide an electronic civil registration and vital statistics system (e-CRVS) certificate from the National Population Commission (NPC).

The Commission stated this in new guidelines for date of birth change it released at the weekend via its X handle. In addition to the certificate, NIMC said copies of other valid documents such as identification and application letter for modification will now be addressed to the Director General of NIMC.

Previously, only affidavits and the payment of N15, 000 were required for the modification of age and other modifications on the NIN system. NIMC explained that with the new guidelines, date of birth modification could only be done once in a lifetime and only at NIMC enrolment centres. It warned that its licensed agents are not allowed to do date of birth modification and other forms of modification.

Meanwhile, the NIMC has budgeted N9.57 billion for construction purposes in 2024. This is contained in the 2024 Appropriation Bill. The NIMC, which was formerly under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, was moved in September to the Ministry of Interior, headed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

But last week, the FG moved the commission to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.There however, are no clarifications yet on the forms of constructions expected to gulp the N9.57 billion and this may raise dust in some quarters.

According to checks by The Guardian, out of the N9.84 billion earmarked for capital expenditure, N9.57 billion would be deployed for construction under a line item termed ‘construction and provision of fixed assets general.’

Further checks showed that in 2024, NIMC’s expenditure cost would gulp about N22.7 billion; personnel, N12.3 billion; salaries and wages, N7.96 billion, among others.

Since August, the commission has not provided updates on the number of Nigerians that have been issued with the National Identification Numbers (NIN).
As of the last count, The Guardian checks showed that about 8.3 +million Nigerians have been issued with NINs this year.

Specifically, the figures were in January, 1.04 million; February, 1.43 million; March, ninety-nine thousand; April, 1.21 million; May, 1.3 million; June, one million; July, sixty-four thousand and August, seventy thousand. These, which were obtained from NIMC, were large as of the last administration of former Director-General, Aliyu Aziz, during the tenure of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isah Pantami. As of August, the number of Nigerians with NINs was 102.9 million.

According to the commission, to bring efficiency to the NIN processes, it started a revalidation exercise of its third-party agent licenses. The NIMC said this was to ensure the highest standards of data security and compliance and was part of efforts to enhance the security, efficiency, and accuracy of the National Identity Management System.

In a statement signed by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the commission said, “This is to inform you of an important regulatory update regarding the revalidation of your license as a Front-End Partner of NIMC.”

NIMC stressed that the revalidation process was mandatory for all current partners and it is intended to ensure compliance with the latest standards and protocols. It noted that the revalidation process will include a thorough review of the third-party organisation’s operations, technical infrastructure, and compliance with NIMC’s policies and guidelines.

Among others, key details of the revalidation process documentation, include that “You are required to submit the following documents for revalidation: Current Business Registration Certificate. Updated Company Profile, Copy of the signed Memorandum of Understanding. Evidence of fees paid to acquire a license. Tax Clearance Certificate for the past three years. Evidence of compliance with NIMC’s technical specifications.

“Provide proof of training and capacity building for your staff involved in the identity enrolment process. Total NIN registered. LLC’s should provide the list of sub-licensees registered under them.”