Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is set to launch a user-friendly app for Nigerians living abroad to register for their National Identification Number (NIN).
The announcement came during a strategic meeting at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, where NIMC’s Director General, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, shared plans for the app, scheduled to go live in February 2024.
The app aims to offer a contactless and seamless experience, with a dedicated Diaspora Focal Point Desk for quick issue resolution within 24 hours.
Expressing commitment to service improvement, the NIMC DG highlighted the app’s alignment with efforts to create a hassle-free system for Nigerians abroad.
NIDCOM Chairman, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the innovative solution, emphasising its potential to link NIN with international passports.
Despite previous measures to boost NIN registration within Nigeria, including making it mandatory for various documents and services, the NIMC recently suspended third-party agents to enhance data integrity.
As the drive to populate the NIN database continues, the move to extend registration to Nigerians abroad through the app raises questions about the process’s accessibility within the country, especially considering challenges faced with third-party agents.