The National Identity Management Commission has announced that Nigerians living abroad can now obtain their National Identification Number through accredited enrolment centres in foreign countries. The move is expected to remove the need for citizens in the diaspora to travel to Nigeria just to complete their registration.

Officials of the commission said the service will be provided through authorised partners known as Diaspora Front End Partners who operate approved enrolment centres across several countries. These partners are licensed to capture biometric data and submit applications directly to the national identity database.

According to the commission the initiative is designed to make identity registration easier for millions of Nigerians living overseas who require the NIN for services such as passport processing banking and telecommunications verification.

The programme is part of the broader expansion of the National Identity Number system which has already recorded tens of millions of enrolments across Nigeria and abroad. Reports indicate that more than 150 diaspora enrolment centres have been established in about 38 countries to support the process.

Officials explained that the diaspora enrolment system has recently been upgraded to improve security efficiency and data protection. The platform allows accredited partners to process applications quickly while maintaining strict verification procedures.

The commission encouraged Nigerians abroad to visit authorised enrolment centres or approved partners in their country of residence to begin the registration process. Authorities also warned applicants to avoid unlicensed agents and ensure they use only accredited centres approved by the commission.

The new arrangement is expected to simplify identity registration for the Nigerian diaspora while strengthening the country’s national identity management system.