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NIMC under fire due to allegations of dollar billing on NIN upgrades, .
On Monday, the National Identity Management Commission was criticised by the public after someone on social media claimed that the organisation was collecting money in dollars for changing National Identity Number information on its website.
The person going by the handle "Akwa Ibom First Son" shared a snapshot that they saw on the NIMC website, which indicated that changing names, phone numbers, addresses, or dates of birth would cost $20.78.
"Dear NIMC, could you please explain to Nigerians why they are charged in dollars on your website?" On X (previously Twitter), he wrote.
In response, NIMC clarified that there is no dollar fee on the portal and blamed the problem on the usage of virtual private networks.
The commission stated that "the website may detect a different location and currency when VPNs are used."
To address the issue, NIMC advised users to turn off their VPNs and try again. If the problem persists, users could reach out to the support team for further assistance.
Meanwhile, citizens and legal residents (age 16 and up) can seek name, phone number, date of birth, and address changes through the NIMC Self-Service Modifications page.
Certain data fields cannot be updated. The information acquired from its website indicates that N15,000 is the permitted amount for a request to amend one's date of birth.
The explanation provided by the NIMC was not well received by the public.
Yasir Jubril, another X user, said, "There is obviously foul play here! Services ought to be paid for in naira regardless of where they are provided. And why does changing one's name or address cost so much money?
Similar concerns about the payment system's technological architecture were expressed by other X users.
"Naira cards are used from any location. Their entire invoice should be paid in local currency, irrespective of location,” John Wick said.
Isa Kabir described his experience, saying that the portal first showed fees in naira, but subsequently switched to showing prices in dollars.
"things took multiple emails for things to be fixed. They are here making excuses, not working on the site," he said.
The NIMC Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, reaffirmed the commission's dedication to openness earlier this month.
"Corruption is not tolerated at all by my government.
I so reaffirm my dedication to cleaning up NIMC in accordance with Mr. President's directive. In Nigeria, obtaining a National Identity Number is free of cost, the speaker stated.