NIMC Tightens NIN Rules: NPC Certificate Mandatory for Modifying Date of Birth

Infostride News has reported that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced new guidelines for Nigerians seeking to change their date of birth on the National Identification Number (NIN) database. According to the guidelines released via its official handle, individuals applying for this modification are now required to provide an electronic civil registration and vital statistics system (e-CRVS) certificate from the National Population Commission (NPC).

This marks a significant departure from the previous process, where only an affidavit and a payment of N15,000 were necessary for age modifications and other changes on the NIN system. In addition to the e-CRVS certificate, applicants must submit copies of other valid documents, including identification and an application letter for the modification addressed to the Director-General/CEO of NIMC.

It’s worth noting that with the implementation of these new guidelines, individuals can only modify their date of birth once in a lifetime, and this can only be done at NIMC enrolment centers. The Commission explicitly warns that licensed agents are not authorized to carry out date of birth modifications or any other form of modification.

This development has raised concerns among Nigerians who were already in the process of modifying their date of birth on the NIN database. Some fear that the additional requirements could further extend the time it takes to complete the modification process at NIMC. There have also been allegations of extortion and intentional delays at NIMC centers, prompting a closer examination of the overall efficiency and transparency of the system.

In response to these concerns, the newly appointed Director-General of NIMC, Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, assured the public that she is actively working to address all forms of unethical practices within the Commission. She emphasized her commitment to improving the efficiency of the NIMC processes and recently announced the clearance of over 2.5 million backlogs of modifications to NIN.

The introduction of the e-CRVS certificate as a requirement for date of birth modification aligns with recent advancements in civil registration systems in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu launched the e-CRVS of the NPC last month, introducing a platform that digitalizes various civil documentation processes. This includes the registration of births and stillbirths, birth attestation, adoption, marriage notification, divorce notification, migration, and death.

Nasir Kwarra, Chairman of the NPC, explained that the e-CRVS system is a crucial step towards aligning with the resolutions of the African Ministers Conference held in 2022. It also aims to enhance the automated process of recording vital events in Nigeria. The system issues a digital certificate in all cases, provides an accessible verification platform for registered organizations, and features a central management system (dashboard) for the analysis of collated civil registrations into vital statistics.

Kwarra emphasized that the introduction of the e-CRVS system represents a significant shift from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a modern, state-of-the-art digital solution. This transformation is in line with international best practices and is expected to revolutionize how vital events are recorded, tracked, and analyzed in the country.

While the e-CRVS system holds promise for improving the accuracy and efficiency of civil registration processes, its integration with the NIN modification process has sparked a debate about the potential challenges and benefits of these new guidelines. As Nigerians navigate these changes, the effectiveness of these measures in enhancing the integrity of the NIN database and overall civil registration system will be closely monitored.