NigeriaMandatory Use of the National Identification Number Regulations, 2017
Mandatory Use of the National Identification Number Regulations, 2017 (S.I. No. 15 of 2017)
archived copy
Read from a public archive copy, not the publisher directly. The publisher does not serve this page to automated readers, so a direct fetch was not an option here; how we access sources. Archived . Publisher's page: https://www.nimc.gov.ng/docs/MandatoryNIN_Gazetted_2017.pdfIn force since .
A sensitive categories rule binding public and private bodies.
- Enforcement body
- National Identity Management Commission
- Obligation class
- Access restriction, Governance
As of .
What it requires
- Treat the National Identification Number as mandatory for each transaction regulation 1(1) lists beyond the Act's own list, among them operating a bank account, cashing in on financial instruments, the purchase and sale of foreign currency in banks and bureau de change, documentation for loans, the purchase of insurance policies, the acquisition, sale or transfer of shares, the purchase and registration of telephone SIM cards and other communication devices, tenancy agreements, and executing any contract or business agreement (regulation 1(1)).
- Where you are a government agency listed in the First Schedule that offers a service regulation 1(1) lists, require any person transacting with you to produce a National Identification Number, and verify and authenticate the person or number in the National Identity Database through real-time online verification from the NIMC Verification Service Platform, a Card Acceptance Device, a Card Reading Device, or a combination of them (regulation 1(2)).
- Give the Commission evidence of compliance when it demands it (regulation 5(a)), and allow it to audit the state of affairs and operations of your transactions or services on written notice of not less than 24 hours (regulation 6(a)).
These lines are LexLint's reading of the law's text, as of .
If you get it wrong
Criminal exposureYes
Criminal exposure note
Regulation 5(d) empowers the Commission to institute criminal proceedings against a non-compliant person or entity through the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, or to bring civil actions against the defaulting person or entity.
What this law does
Regulation 1(1) is made under section 27(1)(l) of the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2007 and makes the use of the National Identification Number mandatory for a list of additional transactions. The list includes operating a bank account, cashing in on financial instruments, and the purchase and sale of foreign currency in banks and bureau de change. The list also includes the purchase and registration of telephone SIM cards and other communication devices.
The list also includes executing any contract or business agreement, tenancy agreements and all transactions involving the acquisition, use or transfer of land. Regulation 1(2) makes it mandatory for a government agency listed in the First Schedule that offers a listed service to require any person transacting with it to produce a National Identification Number and to verify the person or number in the National Identity Database.
Regulation 7 makes a failure to comply with the Regulations punishable by administrative fines and sanctions imposed by the National Identity Management Commission, in addition to the penalties provided under the Act.
When LexLint raises it
When your app profile says your app is a bank, is a lender, is an insurer, is a securities firm or provides telecom services.