Forgot Your NIN? How to Retrieve It
Most guides say "dial *346#". That only works if you still have the SIM you enrolled with. Here's what to do in every case.
GuidesNovember 2, 20264 min read
Start With Your Situation
| If | Do this |
|---|---|
| You still have the SIM you enrolled with | Dial *346# from it. Your NIN arrives by SMS. |
| You lost the SIM but kept the number | Get a replacement SIM from your network, or get your NIN online with the number now. |
| You don't remember which number you used | Try the numbers you had at the time online, or visit a NIMC enrolment centre. |
| You still have an old NIN slip or ID card | Your NIN is printed on it. Look for the 11-digit number. |
Signed in to NIMC's NINAuth app before? It shows your NIN too. Our guide to checking your NIN number compares all four ways.
Retrieve Your NIN Without the Old SIM
NIMC links your record to the phone number you gave when you enrolled. Knowing that number is enough to find your record online; having the SIM isn't needed.
- Open Get your NIN on your phone or laptop.
- Enter the number you enrolled with and follow the face check. Good light, face the camera.
- Check the photo and name are yours, then pay ₦500, or ₦1,200 to get your NIN slip too, plus a small processing fee.
- Your NIN appears on screen and in your email.
Don't Get Scammed Retrieving Your NIN
- Never pay anyone who only asks for your phone number or NIN. Without a face check, they could be getting someone else's.
- NIMC doesn't send links to "update" or "modify" your NIN by WhatsApp or SMS.
- Don't share your NIN publicly. Give it to banks, CAC and employers when they ask.
Retrieving Your NIN: FAQs
Can I retrieve my NIN without the SIM I registered with?
Yes, if you remember the number. Online, you enter that number and pass a face check against your NIMC photo; you don't need the SIM in your phone. *346# does need the SIM.
Can I retrieve my NIN with my BVN?
Not directly. Your bank holds your BVN, not your NIN, and a BVN record doesn't reliably include the NIN. Use your enrolment phone number or a NIMC centre instead.
What if the face check fails?
You aren't charged. Try again in good light without glasses or a cap. If NIMC's record has no photo to match, visit an enrolment centre.
How long does it take online?
A few minutes: the face check, a look at your details to confirm it's your record, then payment. Your NIN shows on screen straight away.
Need the slip itself? See how to get your NIN slip online.
FastCAC Legal Team
Helping Nigerian businesses register with CAC and stay active.
