Types Of Identification Documents In Nigeria (2024)
This article highlights the different types of identification documents in Nigeria this 2024. They are also known as valid means of identification or national identity documents. Nigerians can utilize a variety of national identity documents for identification, combating identity fraud, and a host of other uses. In this post, we shall discuss the various national identification documents that Nigerian nationals and other people who are legally residing here can obtain. They are highlighted below.
FULL LIST OF NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS IN NIGERIA CURRENTLY (2024)
The following are the different types of national identity documents in Nigeria this 2024:
NATIONAL IDENTITY NUMBER (NIN)
Nigerian nationals and legal residents who enlist to be included in the National Identity Database are given a special 11-digit number known as the National Identity Number (NIN), which is unique. The National Identity Number is also used to confirm a person’s identity and is consequently accepted for use in all legal transactions in Nigeria.
Enrollment at any approved National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) registration center located throughout the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory is the first step in obtaining a National Identity Number, whether you are a citizen or a legal resident. The person’s fingerprint, passport photos, and Certificate of Origin would be required for registration.
An enrollment slip would be given to the applicant right away following registration. The applicant is required to return with the transaction slip to the permanent NIN Slip after one to five days have passed since the NIN Slip was approved. The top left corner of the second row of the NIN Slip is where you will find the NIN, an 11-digit number. While getting a NIN is free, renewing it costs money.
BANK VERIFICATION NUMBER (BVN)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated all Nigerian bank account holders possess a Bank Verification Number on February 14, 2014, following the implementation of its Single Identification System. To lessen banking fraud in the banking system, the BVN was put into place in accordance with the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 1958.
Every person with a bank account in Nigeria is given a unique 11-digit number known as the Bank Verification Number (BVN), which is the same for that person across all banking institutions. In other words, a person who has 5 bank accounts with various financial institutions is expected to use the same BVN for all of their accounts. The BVN registration functions as a biometric identity system by storing the fingerprint, signature, and facial photograph of the enrollee that were taken at the time of enrollment. The BVN should not be disclosed to anyone and should be kept private.
INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT
An international passport is a recognized form of national identification for Nigerian nationals and is necessary for all international travel, whether it be by air, land, or sea. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) issues five different categories of international passports: diplomatic, official, standard, pilgrim, and seaman book. Depending on their status in the country, people are given these passports.
High-ranking government officials typically receive the Diplomatic passport and the Official passport, which come with a number of benefits including streamlined foreign travel and freedom from some airport protocol. Every Nigerian citizen wishing to go abroad is given a Standard passport, whereas pilgrims are given a Pilgrims passport in order to visit to holy cities like Jerusalem and Mecca. Professionals who frequently travel by sea and work on ships and other vessels are given the Seaman Book passport.
CERTIFICATE OF STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ORIGIN
This type of national identification refers to a person’s paternal heritage because it is influenced by the father’s place of origin. This is a broad kind of identification that is needed for a number of things, like applying for jobs, scholarships, employment, and admittance to educational institutions. Additionally, this kind of identification is necessary to participate in the National Identity Number programne, obtain an international passport, and engage in a variety of other official activities. The purpose of both the Certificate of State of Origin and Certificate of Local Government of Origin is the same.
The State Liaison Office and the Local Government Secretariat, respectively, issue the Certificate of State of Origin and Certificate of Local Government Origin. A resident of a State different than the applicant’s State of origin will often receive the Certificate of State of Origin. For instance, if a resident of Imo State in Lagos State wishes to apply for a Certificate of State of Origin, the applicant must do so in person at the Imo State Liaison Office in Lagos State.
Also, a person must visit their Local Government Secretariat to apply for and get the document if they reside in their State of origin and seek to obtain a Certificate of Local Government of Origin. For instance, in order to obtain a Certificate of Local Government of Origin, Ebube, who now resides in Onitsha but is originally from Ihembosi, would need to go to the Ekwusigo Local Government Secretariat in Anambra State.
DRIVING LICENCE
To be able to drive on Nigeria’s public roads, a driver’s license is required. And the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is in charge of giving qualifying drivers their driver’s licenses. However, a person must first take a driving course to become proficient behind the wheel before becoming eligible for a driver’s license. After receiving a certificate of driving competency from a school recognized by the FRSC, the person can next register for a driver’s license either online or offline.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Every person born in Nigeria receives a birth certificate, a sort of national identity document. Every Nigerian born must be registered, and this is the responsibility of the National Population Commission (NPC). Every one of the 774 Local Government Areas, as well as hospitals, health centres, and other medical facilities, has an NPC registration centres. If ordered within sixty days of the child’s birth, birth certificates are free.
