Please note & stay safe
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with NIMC. This is an informational guide — enrol, check, retrieve or modify your NIN only through official NIMC channels (nimc.gov.ng, the NIMC self-service portal, the official NIMC MobileID app, or an accredited enrolment centre). Never share your NIN, OTP or personal details with unofficial websites, apps or people, and never pay “agents” promising shortcuts.
Retrieve with *346#
If you’ve forgotten your NIN, dial *346# from your registered line, choose NIN Retrieval, accept the small network charge (~₦20), and your NIN is returned instantly.
Retrieve with the app
The official NIMC MobileID app shows your NIN for free if the SIM linked to your record is in the phone.
Retrieve at a centre
If USSD and the app don’t work, visit a NIMC enrolment centre with a valid ID (voter’s card, driver’s licence, passport). Staff can retrieve your NIN, though it may take longer.
If you lost your registered SIM
Because *346# only works on the registered number, a lost/changed line means you should visit a centre to retrieve your NIN and update your phone number.
Is it free?
NIMC does not charge for NIN retrieval. The only cost via USSD is the small network service charge (~₦20). The app is free.
Stay safe
Never pay “agents” who claim to retrieve your NIN for a fee, and never share your NIN or OTP. Use only official channels.
Retrieving a lost NIN
Losing your slip doesn't mean losing your NIN — your number is stored in NIMC's database and can be retrieved. The fastest route is to dial *346# from the phone number registered with NIMC and follow the prompts; your NIN is returned to you. You can also retrieve/view it through the NIMC mobile app. Because your NIN never changes, retrieving the existing one is always the right move — never enrol again to “get a new NIN,” as duplicate registration causes problems.
If you don't have the registered SIM
The USSD method only works from the SIM linked to your NIMC record. If that number is lost or no longer active, you have options: use the NIMC mobile app if you can log in, or visit an Enrolment Centre (ERC) in person with valid identification to retrieve your NIN. At the centre, staff can locate your record and confirm your number. Bring genuine ID and any details you have from your original enrolment to make the lookup straightforward.
Cost and doing it safely
NIN retrieval through official channels is low-cost or free — the USSD retrieval has at times been offered free, and standard network charges may otherwise apply. What matters most is doing it safely: use only the official *346# code, the NIMC app, or a genuine ERC, and never pay an “agent” a large fee to retrieve a number you can get yourself. Guard your details during the process, and confirm current retrieval channels on NIMC's official site if anything seems different.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recover a forgotten NIN?
Dial *346# from your registered line and choose NIN Retrieval, use the official NIMC MobileID app, or visit a NIMC centre with a valid ID.
Is NIN retrieval free?
NIMC does not charge for retrieval; via USSD your network deducts a small service charge (around ₦20), and the app is free.
I lost my NIN slip — how do I get my number?
Retrieve it with *346# on your registered line, the NIMC app, or at a NIMC centre with a valid ID; then reprint your slip.
I lost my registered SIM — how do I retrieve my NIN?
Since *346# needs the registered line, visit a NIMC centre with a valid ID to retrieve your NIN and update your phone number.
Should I pay someone to retrieve my NIN?
No — never pay agents or share your NIN/OTP. Retrieval is free through official NIMC channels.
How do I retrieve a lost NIN?
Your NIN is stored in NIMC's database, so dial *346# from the phone number registered with NIMC and follow the prompts to retrieve it, or view it in the NIMC mobile app. Since your NIN never changes, retrieve the existing one — never enrol again to 'get a new NIN'.
I lost my NIN slip — what do I do?
You haven't lost your NIN — it's in NIMC's database. Retrieve it by dialling *346# from your registered number, or via the NIMC app, then get a replacement/improved slip if you need the printed document. Don't re-enrol.
How do I retrieve my NIN without the registered SIM?
The USSD method needs the SIM linked to your NIMC record. If that number is lost or inactive, use the NIMC mobile app if you can log in, or visit an Enrolment Centre (ERC) in person with valid ID, where staff can locate your record and confirm your NIN.
Is NIN retrieval free?
Retrieval through official channels is low-cost or free — the USSD retrieval has at times been offered free, with standard network charges otherwise. Never pay an 'agent' a large fee to retrieve a number you can get yourself via *346#, the NIMC app, or an ERC.
Should I re-register if I can't find my NIN?
No — your NIN never changes and duplicate registration causes problems. Retrieve your existing NIN via *346#, the NIMC app, or an ERC instead of enrolling again.