There is growing outrage among Nigerians following the sharp increase in fees by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for correcting personal data on the National Identification Number (NIN) database with the cost of correcting a date of birth now pegged at N28,574.
The new fee represents a 75 per cent hike from the previous N16,340, sparking criticism from citizens who say the increase is insensitive, especially given the current economic hardship.
For many, the NIN, a mandatory identity requirement for government services, banking, SIM registration, and examinations, has become another financial burden.
A fruit seller at Ojota in Lagos, Adaku Okafor, said she had ignored an error in her daughter’s date of birth for years, until it became urgent.
“My daughter is in SSS 2 now and getting ready for WAEC and JAMB. I’m now forced to cough out almost N29,000 just to correct a simple mistake,” she said. “This is so unfair, especially with the harsh economic reality we are all facing.”
She is not alone in her frustration.
Ahmed Salisu, a tailor in Lagos, described the increase as another punishment for the poor. “Most of us don’t even earn up to N30,000 a month. How do they expect us to afford this just to fix an error that might not even be our fault?” he asked. Across social media and local communities, Nigerians have expressed anger and disbelief at the revised charges.
For instance, @Umar Shuaibu, said: ‘As painful as these prices are, the changes rarely reflect on the verification portal, and sometimes you even have to pay extra to have it validated.
@khalilabubakr said: “Very bad for poor Nigerians, yet some of the NIMC officials are very irresponsible and are the culprits for some of these errors but do not penalise them.”
Meanwhile, in a statement accompanying the new price list, NIMC said, the upward review followed over a decade of unchanged pricing. The Commission said it made the move in response to inflation, operational demands, and the need to align with industry standards.
It added that the changes also align with the pricing models of similar agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
“Following due consultation with all departments and in consideration of… market realities of inflation at 32.70 percent, we propose an upward review… with a markup of at least 20 per cent,” NIMC stated.
Breakdown of new fees include: Date of Birth correction: N28,574 (up from N16,340); Other personal data modifications: N2,000 per field (previously N1,522); NIN slip reissuance: N600 (previously N500); VIP enrolment services: N20,000) and Diaspora DOB correction: $55 (Africa), $60 (outside Africa).
Consumer rights advocates and civil society groups have called on the federal government to intervene. Some have urged NIMC to introduce subsidised rates or waivers for students, low-income earners, and rural residents.
“Digital identity should not become a luxury. The Commission must remember that access to identification is a basic right, not a privilege for the wealthy,” said Dayo Wale, a policy analyst in Lagos.