How to Retrieve Your NIN Without a Phone Number in Nigeria (2025 Guide)

How to Retrieve Your NIN Without a Phone Number in Nigeria (2025 Guide) 

Have you lost your SIM card or changed your phone number and now wondering how to retrieve your NIN without a phone number? You're not alone. Thousands of Nigerians face this challenge due to SIM swaps, number changes, or lost phones.

In this article, you'll learn safe and verified ways to recover your NIN even if you no longer have the original number you used during registration.

Why Retrieving NIN Without a Phone Number Matters

Your National Identification Number (NIN) is now mandatory for:

• SIM card activation and reactivation
• JAMB, NYSC, and WAEC/NECO registration
• Bank account linking
• NIN-SIM linkage verification
• Government services and ID verification

If you’ve lost your SIM or can’t receive OTPs from NIMC, you must retrieve your NIN using offline or alternative digital methods.

3 Legitimate Ways to Retrieve Your NIN Without Your Phone Number

Let’s go through proven options to retrieve your NIN without needing the registered phone number.

Method 1: Visit the Nearest NIMC Enrollment Center

This is the most direct and official method.

What You’ll Need:

• A valid government-issued ID card (e.g. school ID, voter’s card, passport, etc.)
• Your date of birth and full name as registered with NIMC
• ₦500 for NIN slip reprint (optional)

Steps:

1. Go to the nearest NIMC enrollment center
2. Inform them you want to retrieve your NIN but have lost access to your phone number
3. Provide your details (full name, DOB, ID)
4. They’ll use the NIMC database to search for your NIN
5. Once found, they’ll issue you a NIN printout or slip
6. You may be asked to update your phone number on file

This method is secure and ideal if you’ve permanently lost your phone number.

Method 2: Use the NIMC Mobile App (If You Previously Logged In)

If you had the NIMC Mobile App installed and logged in before losing your SIM, your NIN might still be available there.

Steps:

1. Open the MWS: NIMC Mobile ID app on your device
2. Log in with your app PIN
3. Your NIN will display on the dashboard
4. Tap “Show My ID” for full details or to generate your Virtual NIN

This works only if you had previously set up the app.

Method 3: Retrieve NIN Through a New SIM Update at NIMC Office

If you still remember the SIM number you used but can’t access it anymore, you can update the number linked to your NIN.

What to Do:

1. Go to a NIMC enrollment center with:
   • Valid ID
   • The old and new phone numbers
   • A signed affidavit (in some cases)
2. Request a modification of mobile number
3. Once updated, you can now dial *346# from the new number to retrieve your NIN

Processing time may take 1–3 days depending on the center

Alternative Options (If Applicable)

• Check old NIN slip or WAEC/JAMB forms – sometimes your NIN is already printed on these documents
• Visit your telecom provider – they may retrieve your NIN if it was previously linked to their SIM (MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9mobile)

Frequently Asked Questions About NIN Retrieval Without SIM

I forgot my NIN and lost my phone number. Can I still retrieve it?

Yes. Go to any NIMC enrollment center with valid identification and your registered details. They’ll search the NIMC database and retrieve it for you.

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Can I retrieve my NIN online without the NIMC app?

Unfortunately, no direct online NIN retrieval portal exists for now. All retrievals require:

• Your original phone number via *346#, or
• A physical visit to a NIMC center

Will I be charged to retrieve my NIN at NIMC?

NIN retrieval is free, but if you want a printout/slip, you may pay around ₦500–₦1,000.

Can I change the phone number linked to my NIN?

Yes, you can request a modification of your mobile number at any NIMC office. This allows you to use the new SIM for all NIN-related services (like receiving OTP, linking SIM, or using *346#).

Don’t Lose Your NIN Again

Once you’ve retrieved your NIN:

• Save it to your email, WhatsApp, or a secure cloud note
• Print a Premium NIN Slip via the NIMC App for official use
• Link your new SIM with NIN using your mobile provider’s NIN linkage code
• Keep a backup phone number on file with NIMC