For millions of Nigerians living abroad, the National Identification Number (NIN) has become a passport to everyday life. From renewing an international passport to linking a bank account back home, the NIN is now a must-have.
But here’s the catch: while Nigerians at home can walk into a nearby center and register (though not without its own frustrations), Nigerians abroad often find the process much harder — and in some cases, downright discouraging.
Few Centers, Long Journeys
One of the first hurdles is access. NIMC, the agency in charge of the NIN, has set up some enrollment centers overseas through licensed agents. The problem? These centers are often located in just one or two major cities in a country.
Imagine a Nigerian living in Calgary, Canada, or Birmingham in the UK. To register, they might need to travel hours — sometimes even book flights — just to get to the nearest center. For many, it’s a costly and exhausting trip.
The Price Tag Shock
Back home, NIN registration is free. Abroad, it’s a different story. Licensed private companied and agents often charge between $20 and $100 (and sometimes more). For families, that adds up fast. Many diaspora Nigerians feel like they’re being made to “pay for their identity.”
Waiting, and Waiting Some More
Even after successfully registering, the process is rarely smooth sailing. Many Nigerians abroad complain about long delays before their NIN becomes active. For some, it takes months. Meanwhile, critical tasks — like renewing a passport or verifying a bank account — are put on hold.
Poor Communication and Little Guidance
Another big challenge is the lack of clear information. Many Nigerians don’t know where to find official enrollment centers, what documents are needed, or the exact fees. Scammers and unlicensed agents sometimes take advantage of this confusion, charging high amounts for incomplete or fake services.
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Technical Glitches Don’t Help
Even at official centers, it’s not unusual for the systems to crash or lose connection with NIMC’s central database in Nigeria. Applicants are often asked to return another day — not an easy ask for someone who has already traveled across states or countries to get there.
What Can Be Done?
Despite the headaches, most Nigerians abroad know they can’t avoid getting their NIN. But there are ways to make the process easier:
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More centers, more access – Opening more enrollment points, not just in capital cities, would save diaspora Nigerians time and money.
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Affordable fees – Regulating costs so Nigerians aren’t paying heavily for something that’s free back home.
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Faster processing – Improving database systems to cut down the waiting period.
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Better awareness – Embassies and community associations abroad can help spread accurate information.
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Digital solutions – Exploring secure online or hybrid registration options.
Final Word
The NIN project is a great step toward creating a unified identity system for Nigerians worldwide. But until the process abroad becomes more accessible, affordable, and efficient, many in the diaspora will keep feeling left out.
After all, identity shouldn’t be this hard to claim — especially for Nigerians who continue to contribute billions of dollars in remittances to the nation every year.
However, the good news is that, the curent director of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote popularly referred to as the No Nonsense Lady is fast changing the urgly narative for Nigerians in diaspora as Diaspora NIN enrolment hits 1.5m due to her recent creation of more vibrant NIN enrollment centres overseas as reported by The Guardian after conducting indepth finding on the issue.
