The quickest way to check your NIN is to dial *346# on the phone number you registered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), select option 1, and your 11-digit National Identification Number will appear on screen within seconds.1National Identity Management Commission. SMS Services If that SIM is no longer active, or you prefer a digital copy you can view anytime, the NIMC Mobile ID app and an in-person biometric lookup are the two reliable fallbacks.
Dial *346# on Your Registered SIM
The USSD method works on any phone, including basic feature phones. Open the dialer, type *346#, and press call. A menu appears. Type 1 for NIN Retrieval and send. The system matches your phone number against the NIMC database and returns your 11-digit NIN on screen.1National Identity Management Commission. SMS Services
NIMC lists a ₦20 service fee deducted from your airtime each time you use the code, so load at least that much credit before dialing.1National Identity Management Commission. SMS Services During the NIN-SIM integration exercise that began in late 2020, the federal government directed the NCC and NIMC to waive this fee temporarily.2Voice of Nigeria. NIN Retrieval: Nigerian Government Orders Cancellation of N20 USSD Charges Whether the waiver still applies may depend on your carrier, so keeping a small balance covers you either way.
One catch: option 1 only works if the SIM in your phone is the one you used during NIN enrollment. Change of number since then, and the code will not find a match. Skip ahead to the section on lost or changed SIMs.
Use the NIMC Mobile ID App
The NIMC MWS Mobile ID app puts a digital copy of your identification card on your smartphone, so you can view your NIN anytime without dialing codes or paying per-use fees. Download it from nimcmobile.app. Avoid copies circulating on social media or unofficial sites, which may contain malware.3National Identity Management Commission. Mobile Digital ID
Setup needs three things: your NIN (so you may need to retrieve it by USSD first), the phone number you enrolled with (NIMC sends a one-time password to that number), and an internet connection. Once registered, tap “Show My ID” to display your virtual card, complete with a QR code that third parties can scan for verification. Tapping the card flips it to show the back.3National Identity Management Commission. Mobile Digital ID During verifications the app shows a UserID rather than exposing your raw NIN, which adds a layer of privacy.
If the app shows “No Internet connection available” or the virtual card fails to display after an update, wipe the app’s data through the in-app Settings menu (Tools icon, Settings, Wipe Mobile ID Data) and re-enter your details. Reinstalling clears most remaining display issues.
What to Do If You Lost the SIM You Enrolled With
Losing the SIM linked to your NIN enrollment cuts off both easy retrieval methods, since USSD and app setup depend on that number. Two paths remain.
The first is a SIM swap at your carrier’s service center. Visit the nearest MTN, Airtel, Glo, or 9mobile office with a valid photo ID and your SIM pack if you still have it. You will fill out a SIM swap form and go through identity verification, which typically includes confirming recent usage details such as your last recharge amount and frequently called numbers. MTN specifically requires you to have your NIN or Virtual NIN ready before processing the swap.4National Identity Management Commission. NIN for SIM Tips Once the new SIM is active on the old number, both the USSD code and the app work again.
If a SIM swap is not possible, visit any NIMC enrollment center in person. Staff there can look up your NIN using your biometrics, the same fingerprints and photograph captured during your original enrollment. This fallback works regardless of what happened to your phone or SIM.
Checking the Number Versus Replacing the Slip
Checking your NIN and replacing your NIN slip are different tasks. The steps above return the 11-digit number itself, which is what banks, SIM registration, and most verifications actually need. If a transaction requires the printed slip and yours is lost, damaged, or stolen, that is a separate reissuance process at NIMC that costs ₦500 and requires supporting documents such as a police report.5National Identity Management Commission. Re-Issuance of NIN Slips
Protect the Number Once You Have It
Once you have retrieved your NIN, write it down and store it somewhere private, such as a password manager or a locked note on your phone. The point of recovering it is to avoid paying retrieval fees or making repeat trips to enrollment centers.
Be careful who you share the raw 11 digits with. NIMC’s Virtual NIN (VNIN) system exists because the NIN itself is a permanent identifier that cannot be changed if compromised. A VNIN is a one-time-use substitute that banks and telecom providers can verify against the NIMC database without ever seeing your actual NIN. You can generate one in the Mobile ID app by logging in, selecting “Get Virtual NIN,” and scanning or searching for the requesting institution. The app produces a VNIN tied to that specific institution. You can also generate a VNIN by dialing *346*3# on your registered phone number, which works without a smartphone or internet connection.
Whenever a business asks for your NIN for verification, ask whether they accept a VNIN instead, and generate one on the spot.