There is nothing more heartbreaking in Nigeria than getting admission to a foreign university, or being ready to apply for your International Passport, only to be told: “Your NIN Date of Birth does not match your documents.”
In the blink of an eye, your bank account can be frozen, your JAMB admission paused, and your travel plans cancelled.
To make matters worse, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has strict protocols for changing sensitive data like your Date of Birth. Unlike a simple phone number update, changing your age is treated as a major security event to prevent “Age Reduction” fraud in the Civil Service.
Because of this, desperate Nigerians often fall victim to “agents” promising instant changes for N50,000 or N100,000. Do not pay them. Most of these “express” services are scams.
This guide provides the Official 2026 Protocol. We will show you the exact cost, the mandatory documents you need, and how to pay the government directly via Remita so you don’t get cheated.
The Hard Truth: No Online Shortcut for DoB
Before we discuss fees, we must clear up a major misconception.
You CANNOT change your Date of Birth Online.
You cannot do it on the NIMC Mobile App.
You cannot do it via USSD.
You cannot do it on a cyber cafe website.
Why?
Changing your age requires Biometric Authentication (Fingerprints and Headshot) to prove you are the person requesting the change. You MUST visit a NIMC State Office or a high-level Enrollment Centre physically. Anyone telling you they can do it via WhatsApp is lying to you.
Official NIMC Service Fees (2026 List)
Transparency is your best defense against extortion. Below is the approved list of fees payable to the Federal Government (via Remita) for data modifications in 2026.
| Service Type | Official Fee (Naira) | Description |
| Correction of Name | N500 | Typos, Marital Name Change, etc. |
| Correction of Phone No. | N500 | Updating lost numbers. |
| Correction of Address | N500 | Moving state or LGA. |
| Correction of Date of Birth | N15,000 | The most expensive service. |
| Card Replacement | N2,500 | For lost or damaged plastic cards. |
Note: These are the government fees. If you use a private licensed agent (not a NIMC office), they may add a “Service Charge” for their time and generator fuel. However, the base fee remains as listed above.
The Remita Guide: How to Generate Your RRR (Do It Yourself)
To avoid being overcharged, you should generate your RRR (Remita Retrieval Reference) and pay the N15,000 yourself before going to the center.
Step 1: Go to the Portal
Visit the official payment site: www.remita.net
Step 2: Search for NIMC
In the search bar that says “Who do you want to pay?”, type:
“National Identity Management Commission” and click it.
Step 3: Select the Service
A form will load. Look for “Name of Service/Purpose”.
- For Age Correction, select: “Correction of Date of Birth”.
- The system will automatically update the amount to N15,000.
Step 4: Fill Your Details
- Payer’s Name: Your Full Name (as it appears on your NIN).
- Phone Number: Your active line.
- Email: Crucial! Your receipt will be sent here.
- GIRO/NIN: Enter your NIN number here.
Step 5: Pay
Click “Submit”. You will get an RRR Code.
You can pay instantly with your ATM Card (Verve/Mastercard/Visa) or take that RRR code to any bank branch (Zenith, GTB, First Bank, etc.) and pay cash.
Step 6: Print the Receipt
You MUST print the Remita Payment Receipt. Without this paper, the NIMC officials will not attend to you.
The Checklist: Mandatory Documents for DoB Correction
Paying the money is the easy part. Proving you were born on a different date is the hard part.
In 2026, NIMC has tightened the rules. You need the following original documents:
1. NPC Birth Certificate (The Gold Standard)
The National Population Commission (NPC) certificate is the only birth document NIMC respects fully.
- If you were born before 1992, you might have a “Sworn Declaration of Age,” but an NPC Attestation carries more weight.
- Pro Tip: Ensure the date on this certificate matches exactly what you want on your NIN.
2. Court Affidavit
You need to go to a High Court and swear an affidavit stating that your date of birth was wrongly captured.
- Warning: Do not buy “roadside affidavits” from typists under the umbrella. Go inside the court registry. NIMC verifies these.
3. Application Letter
You must write a formal letter addressed to the State Coordinator, NIMC.
- Subject: APPLICATION FOR CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH.
- Content: State your NIN, your name, the “Wrong Date” currently on the system, and the “Correct Date” you want to update. Briefly explain why the error occurred (e.g., “Registration Error at point of entry”).
4. Supporting Identity Document (Optional but Helpful)
If you have a WAEC Result, a Driver’s License, or an International Passport that carries the correct date, make a photocopy and attach it. It strengthens your case.
The Timeline: How Long Will It Take?
This is where we need to manage your expectations.
- Name/Phone Correction: Usually reflects within 24 to 48 hours.
- Date of Birth Correction: This takes much longer.
In 2026, the average waiting time for a Date of Birth correction is 3 to 6 Months.
Why so long?
Because of the high rate of fraud (people trying to reduce their age to stay in government jobs longer or play Under-17 football), every Date of Birth request goes to a special Audit Unit in Abuja for manual verification. It is not automatic.
Can I speed it up?
Be wary of anyone promising “24-hour DoB correction.” These are often fraudulent “backend” manipulations that get flagged later, leading to your NIN being blacklisted. Patience is safer than a blocked identity.
Conclusion
Correcting your Date of Birth on your NIN is expensive (N15,000) and slow, but it is necessary.
Your Action Plan:
- Gather Documents: Get your NPC Certificate and Court Affidavit first.
- Generate RRR: Go to Remita.net and pay the N15,000 fee yourself. Print the receipt.
- Visit NIMC: Go to a State Office (avoid small enrollment centers, as they often lack the authorization for DoB changes).
- Wait: Monitor your status using the NIMC App.