The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has confirmed that the N28,574 fee now attached to correcting a date of birth (DOB) on the National Identification Number (NIN) database does not apply if the error originated from the Commission or its agents.
This clarification was made in an official letter signed by Festus Esangbedo, Head of Legal Regulatory Compliance at NIMC. The response was directed at the Data Privacy Lawyers Association of Nigeria (DPLAN), which had earlier raised concerns over the legality of the newly announced fee structure.
In May 2025, NIMC introduced a revised pricing framework for all NIN data modification services, raising the DOB correction fee by over 75%, from N16,340 to N28,574. The increase triggered public outcry and legal scrutiny, particularly from DPLAN, which alleged that the new charges disregarded citizens’ rights under Nigeria’s data protection laws.
What the Law Says
According to Article 36 of the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025, individuals are not to be charged for correcting personal data errors introduced by a data controller or processor. Section 4 of the article further mandates that data subjects be allowed to verify and validate their data before it is finalized.
Barrister Oladipupo Ige, Director of Policy at DPLAN, stated that while agencies like NIMC are allowed to charge for voluntary data changes, they are legally barred from billing citizens for mistakes they didn’t cause.
“NIMC can’t impose a blanket fee for all DOB corrections. If the error wasn’t the citizen’s fault, the law prohibits charging for it,” Ige argued.
NIMC’s Position
In its response, NIMC maintained that it adheres strictly to data protection laws. Esangbedo explained that the Commission follows a “fault-based” model: errors introduced by NIMC or its enrollment agents are corrected at no cost, while changes initiated by citizens for personal or document-related reasons are subject to the N28,574 service fee.
“This fee applies only to voluntary modifications, not to corrections of mistakes caused by NIMC. Such corrections are handled for free once the issue is verified,” Esangbedo wrote.
He emphasized that the current system includes several layers of data validation such as automatic DOB population from the National Population Commission database and manual review before submission to reduce errors at the point of registration.
“Applicants are given multiple opportunities to validate their information before it becomes permanent,” he added.
Esangbedo further noted that the fee contributes to maintaining service quality, deterring fraud, and ensuring operational sustainability.
Fee Hike Justified by Broader Reforms
In the executive brief of the revised fee structure, NIMC explained that the upward review was influenced by rising inflation (reported at 32.70%), revenue targets, and efforts to harmonize government service charges. The Commission also benchmarked its new prices against similar services from sister agencies, including those issuing passports and driver’s licenses.
NIMC stated that the adjustments are part of a broader strategy to improve infrastructure, support social intervention programs, and drive self-sustainability.
Despite public concern, the Commission reiterated its commitment to providing efficient and lawful public services, with strict adherence to Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
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