KEY POINTS

• NIMC has increased the fee for correcting a date of birth on a NIN slip from ₦16,340 to ₦28,574, citing inflation and infrastructure needs.

• Other services like name or address changes and NIN retrieval via USSD also saw fee hikes, with international services for Nigerians abroad similarly affected.

• The commission defended the move as a push for self-sustainability, comparing its pricing with similar agencies, though critics argue the hikes may limit access for low-income citizens.

The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has officially revised its fee structure for a range of National Identification Number, NIN, services, drawing widespread public attention due to the steep increase in costs.

According to The Cable, the most notable adjustment is the price for correcting a date of birth on a NIN slip, which has risen from ₦16,340 to ₦28,574 — a 74.87 percent increase.

The updated pricing, which took effect from May 1, 2025, reflects what NIMC describes as a necessary move to align with economic realities and operational demands.

The commission attributed the changes to the prevailing inflation rate, now pegged at 32.7 percent, and the broader need for self-sustainability in its service delivery.

In a statement released on Saturday, the commission said “The revised fees were informed by inflationary pressures, infrastructure maintenance requirements, and a need to align with similar identity service agencies both locally and internationally.”

Higher charges across local and international NIN services

Beyond the date of birth correction, other NIN modification services have also seen hikes. Changing one’s name or address now costs ₦2,000 per transaction, up from the previous ₦1,522 — an increase of 31.41 percent.

The reissuance of lost or damaged NIN slips has been raised to ₦600 from ₦500, while retrieving a NIN via USSD service now costs ₦50, up from ₦20.

For Nigerians residing abroad, the adjustments are more significant. Adult enrollment at service points within African countries will now cost $50, while enrollment for children is pegged at $30. The reissuance of slips in these regions will cost $6.

Meanwhile, changes to a date of birth abroad now cost $55 in African countries and up to $60 in non-African countries. Other information modifications in non-African countries now cost $20.

NIMC also announced a new premium enrollment option available in lounges, visa centers, and for pre-booked VIP services. These services will now cost ₦20,000, while VIP reissuance of NIN slips has been set at ₦3,500.

The commission emphasized that the new fee structure was developed in comparison with similar services provided by agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service (for passports) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (for driver’s licenses). “Most services have been increased by at least 20 percent,” the commission said in its executive summary. “Some exceptions apply based on the complexity and infrastructure required to execute those changes.”

Public reaction has been mixed. While some citizens acknowledged the need for improved infrastructure and efficient service, many criticized the new costs as excessive, particularly in a country where the minimum wage remains low and economic hardship continues to affect millions.