To correct or change the name on your NIN, use the official NIMC Self-Service Modifications portal at selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng. NIMC says name modifications should only be done on that portal — not on random websites or agents.
You will need supporting documents (court affidavit, newspaper extract, and a marriage certificate if the change is due to marriage), plus another government ID. Adults (16+) can update Names as an approved field.
Quick answer
Prepare your documents: court affidavit, newspaper extract, marriage certificate if needed, and another government-issued ID.
Open https://selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng/ and register or log in. Verify your NIN.
From your dashboard, choose the name modification option.
Pay the official modification fee shown in the portal (NIMC lists N2,000 per updatable field on its fees page — Date of Birth is a separate, higher fee).
Upload clear scans of your documents, review the new name carefully, tick any attestation box, and submit.
Keep your modification transaction slip. After approval, follow portal instructions to download or print your updated NIN slip.
Official portal
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
How to Correct Your Name on Your NIN
Sep 2, 2026
Sep 2, 2026
8 min read
Published
Updated:
To correct or change the name on your NIN, use the official NIMC Self-Service Modifications portal at selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng. NIMC says name modifications should only be done on that portal — not on random websites or agents.
You will need supporting documents (court affidavit, newspaper extract, and a marriage certificate if the change is due to marriage), plus another government ID. Adults (16+) can update Names as an approved field.
Quick answer
Prepare your documents: court affidavit, newspaper extract, marriage certificate if needed, and another government-issued ID.
Open https://selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng/ and register or log in. Verify your NIN.
From your dashboard, choose the name modification option.
Pay the official modification fee shown in the portal (NIMC lists N2,000 per updatable field on its fees page — Date of Birth is a separate, higher fee).
Upload clear scans of your documents, review the new name carefully, tick any attestation box, and submit.
Keep your modification transaction slip. After approval, follow portal instructions to download or print your updated NIN slip.
Official portal
Self-service modification portal: selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng
NIMC overview of self-service modifications: nimc.gov.ng/self-service-modifications
Adult modification rules and documents: nimc.gov.ng/nin/nin-modifications-adults
Official fees: nimc.gov.ng/fees
NIMC home: nimc.gov.ng
NIMC has publicly warned that modifications can only be done on selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng. Do not use lookalike sites.
What you need
Your existing NIN (already enrolled)
Access to the phone number and email you will use on the portal
Court affidavit for change/correction of name
Newspaper extract announcing the name change
Marriage certificate — if the name change is because of marriage
Other government-issued ID that supports the correct name
A way to pay the official fee inside the portal
Names must be consistent across the affidavit, newspaper extract, ID and what you type on the portal. One mismatch can get the request rejected.
Step-by-step: correct your NIN name online
1. Get your documents ready
NIMC’s self-service page lists these documents for a change of name:
Court affidavit
Newspaper extract
Marriage certificate in the case of marital status
Other government ID
Scan or photograph each document so the text is readable. Prefer clear PDFs or high-resolution images.
2. Open only the official portal
Go to https://selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng/. Check that the address ends with nimc.gov.ng before you enter your NIN or pay.
ADVERTISEMENT
3. Register or log in and verify your NIN
If you are new, register. If you already have an account, log in. Complete NIN verification as the portal asks.
4. Choose name modification
On your dashboard, select the option to modify your name (first name, middle name and/or surname, as offered on screen). Enter the correct spelling carefully.
5. Pay the official fee
NIMC’s fees page lists modifications (adults) at N2,000 per updatable field. Date of Birth is not in that group and carries its own higher fee. Pay only through the payment flow shown inside the official portal.
Keep your payment receipt or reference. Do not pay a third party who claims they can “rush” NIMC for you.
6. Upload documents and submit
Upload the affidavit, newspaper extract, ID, and marriage certificate if it applies. Preview the change, tick the attestation box if shown, then submit.
Save or screenshot your modification transaction slip from the portal.
7. After approval
Watch for the portal or email notification. When approved, download or print your updated NIN slip from the official channels. Your NIN number itself does not change — only the name data linked to it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Need a fresh slip later? See How to Download and Print Your NIN Slip.
Current fees
According to nimc.gov.ng/fees:
Modifications (Adults): N2,000 per updatable field
Date of Birth modification: separate fee (listed on the same fees page; not the N2,000 field fee)
NIN enrolment: free
Always confirm the amount shown on the official portal before you pay. Fees can be updated on nimc.gov.ng/fees.
Common problems and fixes
Portal rejects my documents
Re-scan blurry pages. Make sure the old name and new name match exactly across the affidavit, newspaper extract and ID. For marriage-related changes, include the marriage certificate.
I used a wrong website
Stop. Only use selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng. If you already typed passwords or OTP on a fake site, change related passwords and contact NIMC through nimc.gov.ng.
Payment succeeded but status is pending
Keep your receipt and transaction slip. Stay logged into the official portal and check the modification table. Do not pay again through an agent.
ADVERTISEMENT
POPULAR TODAY
I only need a slip reprint, not a name change
Do not open a name modification. Use the slip download guide instead: How to Download and Print Your NIN Slip.
Scam warning
NIMC: modify NIN data only on selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng.
Ignore WhatsApp/Telegram “NIN name change agents” and lookalike domains.
Never share your NIN, OTP, portal password or payment PIN with strangers.
NIN enrolment is free. Paying someone just to “create a NIN” is a red flag.
Related XTRAfrica guides
FAQs
Can I still change my NIN name at an enrolment centre?
NIMC directed the public to the self-service portal for modifications and has warned against unauthorised websites. Use selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng unless NIMC’s own site tells you otherwise.
Does my NIN number change when I correct my name?
No. Your National Identification Number stays the same. The name fields linked to that NIN are updated.
What if the error is only a spelling mistake?
You still use the official modification channel and the documents NIMC lists for change of name. Bring an ID that shows the correct spelling.
Is Date of Birth the same process?
It is also done on the self-service portal, but NIMC lists different documents (NPC birth/attestation certificates) and a different fee. Do not treat DOB as a N2,000 name-field change.
Where can I get help?
Use contact options on nimc.gov.ng. NIMC has published toll-free line 08000616462 on its site.
Sources
ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED ARTICLE
