The legal necessity of connecting your NIN to your MTN line is something that every Nigerian who uses MTN or any other mobile network in Nigeria is aware of.
The Nigerian government ordered all telecom companies to make sure their customers linked their NIN to their SIM cards sometime in April 2022. Calls on that line would not be possible for anyone whose line was not linked by the specified date of March 2022.
We’ll walk you through the process of tying your NIN to your MTN line in this article, which is still open to all MTN customers.
How Does NIN Signify Anything?
Each Nigerian is given a set of 11 numbers, known as their NIN (National Identification Number), once they have registered with the system. It is a distinct identifying number given to each citizen and resident of the United States, akin to the Social Security Number. The National Identity Management Commission is responsible for issuing NINs.
Because the National Identity Database uses your NIN to uniquely identify you, it is unique. Your NIN is linked to every record you have, including demographic information, a photo from your passport, fingerprints, and signature.
There is just one NIN per use. A NIN cannot be transferred to a different person, not even in the event of the owner’s death.
The Nigerian government mandated in 2020 that mobile network providers need their customers to link their National Insurance Number (NIN) to their phone numbers. This security measure was implemented in order to monitor fraudulent activity and address nationwide issues of insecurity.
According to a news in The Punch, MTN was even fined N330 billion in 2015 for neglecting to delete all unregistered SIM cards.
Getting Ready To Link Your NIN to MTN Line (Step By Step Guide)
Three items are necessary before you start the connection process.
- A sim card registered with MTN
- Your NIN (which requires that you have registered to obtain one).
- You’re a virtual NIN (VNIN).
- You must go to one of the MTN service centers in your area to register your unregistered line.
You would also need to visit an enrollment center in order to obtain your NIN. To check your NIN over your MTN line, however, assuming you have registered, just dial *346#. Your NIN will appear in a pop-up window once you select 1. NIN retrieval. You should know that it will cost N20.
Dial *346# and pick 3. Virtual NIN to generate a VNIN. Next, input your NIN, and your VNIN will be shown in a pop-up window. The number will be sent to you by text by MTN, but you can save it by taking a screenshot.
For your record to be consistent throughout all databases and to prevent issues with your information, you need to have a current and valid NIN.
How to Link Your NIN to Your MTN Line: A Step-by-Step Guide
You can link your NIN to your MTN line in different two ways- through the MTN NIN portal or using a USSD code.
Using the Linking Portal to Link NIN to an MTN line
- Visit the MTN NIN linking portal
- Fill in the necessary information, including your VNIN, phone number and email address, and select Next.
- Verify the information you have entered and click Enter. You will receive an OTP via text message to the number you inputted. Enter the OTP and validate.
- Wait for confirmation that the linking was successful.
How to Use USSD Code to Link NIN to MTN line
- Dial *996# and select 1.
- Submit Virtual NIN.
- Follow the prompts and complete the linking process.
Note: that you can only link 7 phone numbers to one NIN. So if you’re attempting to register a line and it’s repeatedly unsuccessful, one of the reasons could be that you have exceeded the number of lines allowed per NIN.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
The following are issues you may be experiencing and how to handle them.
I do not have a NIN. What should I do?
If you do not have a NIN, you need to visit a NIN enrollment centre closest to you and be enrolled. You can use the self-service or assisted service. You will require your BVN and a means of identification (Old NIN card, driver’s license, Nigerian International Passport, Voter’s card, birth certificate, etc. See the complete list of acceptable documents).
My SIM is not registered, but I have NIN.
If your MTN line is not registered, you cannot link your NIN to it. You would need to visit an MTN service centre closest to you to register and initiate the NIN linking process.
My line is barred, but I want to link my NIN.
If your MTN line is barred and you would like to keep using it, you can also attempt to link your NIN to unblock it. If the attempt is unsuccessful, you can contact MTN Customer Care service or visit a service centre to make a complaint.
Why Should You Comply With the NIN Linking Directive?
Following the order issued by the federal government, failure to link your MTN line to your NIN will result in your line being blocked. This is because the government is using this regulation to tackle the country’s insecurity issue.
The advantage of complying is that you’ll continue to use your MTN line without any unusual hassles. Your records will also be consolidated across databases, making it easy to identify you.
Additional Resources and Support
Here’s a short list of essential websites and support channels for assistance.
- MTN’s NIN linking portal
- NIMC Contact page
- MTN Customer Care – Dial 300 on your phone.
If you need further assistance or clarification, do not hesitate to contact the appropriate authorities or check out the FAQ section of their websites.
In summary
In Nigeria, MTN is undoubtedly the largest mobile network. As per the instruction from the government, every subscriber needs to register their MTN lines and associate their NIN with them. The foregoing explanation of the easy procedures to take has made them clear. You have two options: use the USSD route or the MTN connection gateway.
Both new and old phone numbers that are unlinked will be blocked. Thus, it would be wise to register and link your NIN to any MTN lines and other phone numbers you may have.
