The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced a new access control policy for users of its National Identification Number (NIN) self-service modification portal, and cautioned that failure to comply with the new guidelines could result in account lockouts.
The new policy, unveiled in a public advisory on Thursday and signed by the Commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen identity protection and improve the integrity of NIMC’s digital service systems.
According to the Commission, user access to the self-service modification portal is now strictly tied to the specific browser and device used during the initial registration process. Any attempt to access the account from a different device or browser could lead to automatic denial of access.
“Your self-service account is uniquely tied to the browser and device used during registration. Access to your account is therefore limited to that specific browser on that particular device,” the advisory stated.
NIMC further warned users against clearing their browser cache, explaining that doing so could reset the browser and result in a lockout. Once locked, users are given only five chances to unlock their accounts. After exhausting those attempts, no further unlock requests will be accepted.
“This measure is part of the Commission’s continued efforts to safeguard the identity of users on the self-service modifications portal,” the statement added.
The policy affects all individuals seeking to modify their NIN records, including name corrections, changes to date of birth, and other personal data via the self-service platform.
The Commission urged the public to strictly adhere to the new guidelines to avoid disruptions in service. Users facing access issues are advised to contact NIMC’s customer support for assistance.
The self-service portal was introduced as a digital solution to streamline identity services and reduce traffic at physical enrollment centres.
However, NIMC said the introduction of tighter access controls became necessary following rising concerns over data security, identity theft, and misuse of the portal.
“We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we implement these improvements. Our goal is to ensure safer, faster, and more reliable access to NIN services,” Dr. Adegoke stated.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s identity management infrastructure and ensuring public trust in its systems.
