NIMC Under Fire Over Alleged Dollar Billing for NIN Updates
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is facing criticism after a social media user accused the agency of charging fees in dollars for National Identification Number (NIN) data modifications on its portal.
The user, known as “Akwa Ibom First Son”, shared a screenshot allegedly from the NIMC website, showing fees of $20.78 for changes to birth dates, addresses, names, and phone numbers. NIMC responded, attributing the issue to the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which can cause the website to detect a different location and currency.
However, the public reaction to NIMC’s explanation has been largely negative, with many questioning the technical design of the payment system and why services are not charged in naira. Some users shared their experiences, stating that the portal initially displayed fees in naira but later showed fees in dollars.
NIMC has maintained that enrollment for NIN is free of charge in Nigeria, and the approved fee for a change of date of birth request is N15,000. The commission has advised users to turn off their VPNs and try again, and if the problem persists, to reach out to the support team for further assistance.
The controversy has sparked concerns about transparency and corruption, with some calling for a sanitization of the NIMC portal and payment system.
