The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has clarified that the new price for correcting the date of birth (DOB) on the National Identification Number (NIN) database, set at N28,574, is waived if the error to be corrected was caused by the Commission.
This clarification is contained in a letter issued by Festus Esangbedo, Head of the Legal Regulatory Compliance Service Department at NIMC, which was exclusively obtained by Nairametrics.
The letter responds to a demand by the Data Privacy Lawyers Association (DPLAN) for compliance with Nigerian data protection law concerning fees for rectifying DOB on NIN records.
Nairametrics previously reported that on May 10, 2025, NIMC released a new price list for all services related to data modification on the NIN database.
According to the new price list, correcting the DOB now costs N28,574, representing a 75% increase from the previous charge of N16,340.
On May 12, 2025, Barrister Oladipupo Ige, Director of Policy at DPLAN, told Nairametrics in an exclusive interview that the Commission allegedly failed to inform Nigerians about exceptions and waivers for DOB correction fees as stipulated in relevant data laws.
What Relevant Data Law Says
Article 36 of the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 addresses the exercise of the right to rectification.
Section 4 of Article 36 states that if data rectification is to correct an error made by a data controller or processor in inputting personal data, the data subject shall not be required to pay to correct an error that is not their fault.
The section further emphasizes that data subjects must be given ample opportunity to verify their data before it is submitted in a permanent format.
Ige added that based on Article 36 of the NDP-GAID 2025, if the DOB correction is the citizen’s fault, they must pay the fee; if not, the correction is free by law.
He stressed that while NIMC can charge fees and increase them, it cannot charge for data rectifications that are not the citizen’s fault.
He alleges that NIMC’s fee increase for DOB correction aims to charge everyone regardless of who caused the error, which would contravene the law if citizens pay N28,000 for corrections due to NIMC’s fault.
NIMC Response
In response, Esangbedo clarified that when errors occur due to NIMC’s fault or that of its agents during the initial capture process, the Commission provides immediate remediation at no cost once notified.
“This aligns with our obligations under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023,” he stated.
- He explained that the current self-service modification system includes multiple verification steps before final submission, such as validating the National Population Commission (NPC) certificate number, which auto-fills the DOB field, and reviewing all information before attestation.
“The Commission applies a fault-based approach: errors attributable to NIMC or its agents are corrected free of charge, while modifications requested by applicants based on new documentation are subject to fees.
“Thus, the fee of N28,574 applies exclusively to voluntary modifications initiated by applicants after initial registration. This is a value-added service for individuals seeking to update their DOB based on new documentation, not for correcting NIMC errors.
“The fees represent legitimate charges for modification services, not error corrections. Where errors are attributable to NIMC, we provide free remediation,” the official stated.
- He added that these fees are essential to maintain service quality and prevent fraudulent modifications.
What You Should Know
In its executive summary of the new price list, NIMC noted that the fee increase was influenced by mandates to boost revenue, unify taxes, support social interventions, and add new products and services.
“Following consultations with all departments and considering inflation at 32.70%, we propose an upward review of fees and charges with at least a 20% markup, except for certain services with peculiarities,” the Commission stated.
NIMC also considered fees charged by sister agencies for similar services, such as passports and driver’s licenses.
The Commission emphasized its commitment to public service, infrastructure maintenance, and self-sustainability.
Good afternoon please what about those that want to rectify their age like 9 years down ward how are they going to do it
Please I’m waiting for reply. Thanks
Please reduce the amount for the less privilege, how do I correct date of birth using my phone?
Please can I correct date of birth through nin app
LIFE is not all about how long u live but what u live 4 & what u left BEHIND….
Please how many times can a person change his DOB. (I.e can I rectify my DOB more than once?)
Thank you.
The money is too much🥲
Why is NIMC not talking about the individual NIN suspension which is caused by the commission?
My NIN has been working perfectly well before, but unfortunately i went to register a SIM card but to be informed that my NIN has been suspended without my notice, without any reason to such action.
But it’s sad that the same commission is collecting 15,000 Naira from the masses involved in the situation to recapture in order for the NIN to be working…..
It’s obvious that this is a method of extorting money from people which is an act of stealing/crime, but government and the commission are not saying anything about it….
I was forced to pay 15,000 Naira on July 14, 2025 at the local government secretariat for my NIN recapturing…
It’s only God that will judge everyone involved in this act.
It is just simple. These people running Nigeria have no shame or compassion. You are asking Nigerian to pay N28,000 for name correction. What will it take to correct a name? Does causing pain make you people happy?
One way or another you will experience the pain you bring in the citizens
I did my Nin almost 6 to 7 years ago and I know for a fact that the fault was not from me, I did it at the end office along aba road in port-harcourt ,rivers state
Thanks for all
As it concerns the condition for waving the cost whether the error is from the NIMC or the citizens, what measures is put in place to determine the source of the errors.
Pls How much for the Change of Name from NIMC
Modification is not validated immediately, some even takes longer than expected, kindly work on the new system to allow smooth running of business and to avoid spending unnecessary cost on a single NIN correct
Thanks
So I paid for the dob correction last year at the former price but couldn’t complete the process now how do i go about it with the increment in the price.
How can I make a payment for Date of Birth corrections and how can I start the process
How can I change my name and date of birth online by myself without visiting the office