Bank lifts suspension of international transactions on naira master cards

Wema Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, has announced the lifting of the suspension of international transactions on naira master cards. Recall that many commercial banks in the country prohibited the use of naira cards for international ATM cash withdrawals, web and POS transactions, implying that cardholders cannot make cash withdrawals or payments through those channels outside the country. However, in a statement sent to its customers, Wema Bank announced that it has lifted the embargo on international transactions on naira cards, which means that customers can now conduct international transactions and make purchases globally. Customers can now enjoy seamless transactions and make international purchases using their Naira cards, including Mastercard, ALAT Mastercard, and Visa, for international spending, according to the bank. The email stated, “It’s time to enjoy seamless transactions and make purchases internationally. You can now use your Naira cards, including Mastercard, ALAT Mastercard, and Visa, for international spending.” The lifting of the ban brings an array of benefits to customers. For starters, it enables them to make international purchases, shop at online stores all over the world, and purchase from their favourite international brands. Wema Bank also stated that it has imposed a $500 monthly spending limit for international transactions to ensure that its customers manage their expenses responsibly and protect them from potential fraudulent activities. “Your Naira master cards give you the convenience of making payments in foreign currencies, eliminating the need for currency conversion or carrying excess cash. It’s a hassle-free and secure way to shop and transact abroad,” it added.  

HON. MARK MCGOWAN, THE NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSION AND NIDCOM COMMENDS THE CONAPA ON ITS INAUGURATION.

West Australian Premier, Hon. Mark McGowan has congratulated the Australian Nigerian Community and the Nigerian Association of Western Australia for the significance of its newly inaugurated leadership forum – CONAPA. The Premier in the statement reiterated his government’s commitment to a State where everyone has strong sense of belonging, can participate fully and achieve their goals and expressed delight that Western Australia will host the CoNAPA headquarters. As a peak leadership body of Nigerian Australians and persons with Nigerian heritage and ancestry in Australia, CoNAPA comprises of 17 Council members represented by the Presidents and Vice Presidents of Nigerian national associations from all Australian States and Territories. The Chairperson thanked Council members for their support, collaboration and visionary leadership in establishing CoNAPA. The object, mission statement and vision of CoNAPA can be found on its website: www.conapa.org.au. Ambassador Anderson Madubike, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific also expressed delight at the inauguration of the forum which is aimed at fostering the unity and growth of Nigerians living in Australia. Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) was delighted by the inauguration and urged CoNAPA to work collaboratively in the best interest of Nigerians in Australia. She reiterated her commitment and the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria in supporting Nigerians in the diaspora which was the idea behind NIDCOM. Chairperson of CoNAPA and the Nigerian Association of Western Australia (NAWA), Dr. Pedus Eweama, thanked the Premier for his message of goodwill, strong leadership and remarkable embrace of multiculturalism. He also thanked the Nigeria High Commission and NIDCOM for their messages of support and expressed optimism that CoNAPA will strengthen collaboration between Nigerian national associations in Australia and enhance a platform for engagement with Australian and Nigerian governments in matters that affect Nigerians living in Australia. Although apolitical, CoNAPA urges His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari to avoid partisan entreaties to interfere in 2023 general elections, but to do all he can as the leader of Africa’s biggest democracy to help strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by allowing the will of the people to prevail during the forthcoming elections. The council also wishes to reiterate its support for diaspora voting and urges the national assembly to do everything within their powers to give diaspora Nigerians full sense of  citizenship. With the formal inauguration, CoNAPA is set to consolidate its efforts in working with various national associations in Australia, the Nigerian High Commission (NHC) Australia, Australian and Nigerian governments to ensure that the interests of Nigerian Australians and persons living in Australia with a Nigerian heritage are advanced. Signed Dr. Pedus Chidiebere Eweama Chairperson, Nigerian Association of Western Australia (NAWA) Chairperson, Council of Nigerian Association Presidents in Australia (CoNAPA)

NIN Enrollment Modifications (Minors)

This is the modification of the data of Nigerians and Legal Residents below the age of 16 who were enrolled into the NIMC’s database but wish to change previously submitted records.

However, some fields in the data are non-updatable and cannot be modified.

Updatable Fields (approved)

  1. Names
  2. Date of Birth (carries a different fee, see above)
  3. Addresses
  4. Phone Number
  5. Place of Birth – State
  6. Place of Birth – LGA
  7. Place of Birth – Country (if different from Nigeria)
  8. Place of Origin – State
  9. Place of Origin – Town, Village
  10. Place of Origin – LGA
  11. Father’s NIN
  12. Father’s Town, Village of Origin
  13. Father’s State of Origin
  14. Father’s LGA of Origin
  15. Mother’s NIN
  16. Mother’s Town, Village of Origin
  17. Mother’s State of Origin
  18. Mother’s LGA of Origin

Non-Updatable Fields

  1. Gender
  2. NIN
  3. State of Registration
  4. LGA of Registration
  5. Registration Centre
  6. Ward
  7. Polling Unit
  8. Date of Death
  9. Date of Death Type
  10. Tracking Number
  11. Date of Registration
  12. Originating Centre
  13. Loading Centre
  14. ID Card Number
  15. Applicant’s Finger Print (Finger 1 to 10)
  16. Applicant’s Finger Print Reason (Finger 1 to 10)
  17. Applicant’s Signature

Mandatory requirements for data modification:

Applicants are to present
  • the original copy of the NIN slip issued to them after the first registration
  • the printout of the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) Number given at the bank after payment/ or a printout stating the payment details if the payment was made online
  • an Application Letter duly signed by the applicant’s parent for change in the data fields he/she wishes to modify for their Child(ren)/ward(s) stating the reason
  • the supporting document to back the proposed changes to be submitted accordingly.

Supporting Documents for Data Modification

Change of Name

  • Sworn Affidavit
  • Newspaper Extract
  • Marriage Certificate (in cases of marriage)

Change of Address

  • Utility Bill
  • Tenancy Agreement
  • Bank Statement
  • Community leader Attestation

Phone Number due to loss or mechanical damage

  • Police Report

Level of Education

  • Certificate obtained

Change of Occupation

  • Offer Letter

Process of Modification (Minors):

  • Applicants walks into the enrolment Centre with a supporting document (including application letter).
  • Applicant will be issued a data modification form to fill.
  • Applicant data modification forms will be vetted by a NIMC Official to crosscheck the information filled on the form against the supporting document provided. Note: applicants who cannot read nor write should come along with a person who can do the form filling for him.
  • Applicant’s pre-filled information will be inputted on the NIMC Software by a NIMC enrolment officer.
  • The enrolment officer will ask the applicant or parent to double check his/her information using the applicant monitor to check for errors.
  • If the applicant is satisfied with his/her demographic information, the biometrics of the applicant will be captured subsequently.
  • After completing the enrolment, a Transaction ID Slip will be issued to the applicant as an evidence of the transaction.
  • The former NIN Slip will be retained by the enrolment officer if the modified data will affect details on the NIN slip.
  • The applicant will be requested to come back for the NIN within 2-5 working days or more, as it is subjected to speed of network.
  • A new National Identification Number Slip having the same NIN will be issued to the applicant after processing.

NIN Enrollment Modifications (Adults)

This is the modification of data of an enrolled Citizen or Legal Resident of age 16 years and above when the need arises.

However, some fields in the data are non-updatable and cannot be modified.

Updatable Fields (approved)

  1. Names
  2. Date of Birth (carries a different fee, see above)
  3. Addresses
  4. Phone Number
  5. Place of Birth – State
  6. Place of Birth – LGA
  7. Place of Birth – Country (if different from Nigeria)
  8. Place of Origin – State
  9. Place of Origin – Town, Village
  10. Place of Origin – LGA
  11. Father’s NIN
  12. Father’s Town, Village of Origin
  13. Father’s State of Origin
  14. Father’s LGA of Origin
  15. Mother’s NIN
  16. Mother’s Town, Village of Origin
  17. Mother’s State of Origin
  18. Mother’s LGA of Origin

Non-Updatable Fields

  1. Gender
  2. NIN
  3. State of Registration
  4. LGA of Registration
  5. Registration Centre
  6. Ward
  7. Polling Unit
  8. Date of Death
  9. Date of Death Type
  10. Tracking Number
  11. Date of Registration
  12. Originating Centre
  13. Loading Centre
  14. ID Card Number
  15. Applicant’s Finger Print (Finger 1 to 10)
  16. Applicant’s Finger Print Reason (Finger 1 to 10)
  17. Applicant’s Signature

Mandatory requirements for data modification:

Applicants are to present
  • the original copy of the NIN slip issued to them after the first registration
  • the printout of the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) Number given at the bank after payment/ or a printout stating the payment details if the payment was made online
  • an Application Letter duly signed by the applicant for change in the data fields he/she wishes to modify stating the reason
  • the supporting document to back the proposed changes to be submitted accordingly.

Supporting Documents for Data Modification

Change of Name

  • Sworn Affidavit
  • Newspaper Extract
  • Marriage Certificate (in cases of marriage)

Change of Address

  • Utility Bill
  • Tenancy Agreement
  • Bank Statement
  • Community leader Attestation

Phone Number due to loss or mechanical damage

  • Police Report

Level of Education

  • Certificate obtained

Change of Occupation

  • Offer Letter

Process of Modification (Adults):

  • Applicants walk into the enrolment Centre with a supporting document (including an application letter).
  • The applicant will be issued a data modification form to fill.
  • Applicant data modification forms will be vetted by a NIMC Official to crosscheck the information filled on the form against the supporting document provided. Note: applicants who cannot read nor write should come along with a person who can do the form filling for him.
  • Applicant’s pre-filled information will be inputted on the NIMC Software by a NIMC enrolment officer.
  • The enrolment officer will ask the applicant to double-check his/her information using the applicant monitor to check for errors.
  • If the applicant is satisfied with his/her demographic information, the biometrics of the applicant will be captured subsequently.
  • After completing the enrolment, a Transaction ID Slip will be issued to the applicant as evidence of the transaction.
  • The former NIN Slip will be retained by the enrolment officer if the modified data will affect details on the NIN slip.
  • The applicant will be requested to come back for the NIN within 2-5 working days or more, as it is subjected to the speed of the network.
  • A new National Identification Number Slip having the same NIN will be issued to the applicant after processing.

Modification of Date of Birth

  1. Write an application address to DG for the date of birth change
  2. Provide a supporting document with the correct DOB issued by a government body ( doc must have been issued before the date of NIN registration)
  3. Pay processing fees$35 through the Remita platform and attach evidence of payment
  4. Submit all documents to a NIMC agent in your location.
  5. The agent will send documents to the approved email address
  6. Your application will be processed within 72 hours (if the change is less than 5 years reduction). If more than 5yrs change within 21 days.
  7. If the application is approved, the NIMC agent with recapture your data and issue you with a new NINslip and send it to
  8. NIMC to effect the change in the database
  9. If declined, pls check your documents and resubmit

NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA ASSOCIATION, MARSEILLE HONOUR OLOTA OF OTTA

The Nigerians in Diaspora Association, Marseille under the leadership of Mr. Shina Olaoye hosted His Majesty, Olofin Apesin Olode, Olota of Otta, Awori Kingdom, Oba Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege(Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode) on Friday, 4th March 2022 in Marseille.
The President of the Association, M.r Shina Olaoye made it known that it is a great achievement for the association to have His Majesty in Marseille.
According to him, the presence of Kabiyesi has further boosted their morale as he promised Kabiyesi and other Nigerians that they will continue to promote the positive image of the country in Marseille.
He also seized the opportunity to inform His Majesty of their programs for the year as they look forward to receiving many dignitaries during the events.
In his remarks, His Majesty, Oba Obalanlege  thanked members of the association for the reception, urging them to continue to raise the flag of Nigeria in accordance to the rules and regulations of their host country.
Kabiyesi also charged them on the need to look back home, stating that with their experience in Europe, they have the opportunity to replicate modernism in the governance and political sector of Nigeria.
Contributing, Olori Oloruntoyin Obalanlege implored members, especially the married, not to abandon their families at home.
In his continued effort to promote the rich cultural heritage of the Aworis, His Majesty, the Olofin Apesin Olota embarked on a tour to Germany and other European countries on the 24th of February and he is slated to return 6th March 2022.
#KabiyesiOlota
#ProsperousOttaKingdom
#AworiToTheWorldProject
#EuropeTour
#LiberationContinues
 Prince A.S Olusesi reporting from Marseille
For: The Royal Palace of Oleta of Otta, Awori Kingdom

NIGERIANS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT

POLAND BORDER CROSSING
Dear Nigerians, In light of the recent invasion of Ukraine. Please be advised that for all Nigerians crossing over to Poland through this Border Border crossing Korczowa – Krakovets Please present any one of these as your destination address with the Border controls.  
  • 02-953, Kosiarzy 22B, 02-956 Warszawa
  • Hrebenne-Rawa Ruska Szkoła Podstawowa w Lubyczy Królewskiej (zaplecze hali sportowej) ul. Jana III Sobieskiego 5, 22-680 Lubycza Królewska Phone: +48-729275316
  • Korczowa-Krakowiec Świetlica, Korczowa 155, 37-552 Korczowa Phone:+48-579201775
  • Medyka-Szeginie Hala Sportowa – Medyka 285, 37-732 Medyka Phone:+48-729242516
  • Budomierz-Hurszew Szkoła Podstawowa w m. Krowica Sama 183, 37-625 Krowica Sama Phone: +48-739493541
  The NIDOP Volunteers with the Nigerian Embassy staff will be at the below meeting point with Buses and Vans to pick up Nigerians. Please Stay Safe.🙏 We will be waiting at the below address. This is our convergence point. It’s about 100m – 200m from the Border. Please meet at Hotel Cykada https://maps.app.goo.gl/iBneuuLpgrmVqMGD8 Please fill out the form below  Please join the telegram group https://t.me/+eR4Omk33V01jMWQ0 NIDOP Executives.
ROMANIA BORDER CROSSING
The Nigerian Embassy in Romania wishes to inform Nigerians arriving from Ukraine that arrangement has been put in place to receive them at the Romanian entry points. The Embassy hotlines are: Consular Officer +40747309174 Head of Chancery +40786091964. For those experiencing difficulties at the borders, Our Minister, His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama is currently engaging high authorities and the Organization for Migration to assist.

NIN Enrollment for Diaspora

The High Commission wishes to inform the Nigerian Community in Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu of the official commencement of registration and enrolment of the National Identification Number (NIN) in the above countries. Please be informed that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in collaboration with the Dannon Investment and Management Consultancy (Dannon Group) and EH-LED Global Resources Ltd, represented by Commscentric Pty Ltd, would be carrying out this exercise in Australia and countries of concurrent accreditation.  

Applications under Dannon Group

Applicants will need to fill out an online application at DANNON Group and forward a copy of the application and proof of payment to nhcc.dannon@gmail.com in order to obtain an appointment. Please note: The automatically generated appointments are NOT valid. You will receive an email with the appointment date in due course.  

Applications under EH-LED Global Resources Ltd/Commscentric Pty Ltd

Applicants will need to fill out an online application at NIN Booking and follow the instructions as directed.

Federal Govt To Replace NIN Slip With Digital Tokens January 1

The Federal Government has introduced a suite of digital Tokens to replace the ageing NIN slip and polycarbonate card. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami said this at stakeholders workshop on the National Identification Number (NIN) Tokenization Solution organised by National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Abuja. He said the government adopted the solution to ensure the privacy of Personal Identifiable Information of individuals during verification transactions and to reduce incidences of illegal retrieval, usage, transfer, and storage of NIN. The Minister who was represented by the Director-General of NIMC, Aliyu Abubakar said the full implementation begins on Jan. 1. He said the tokenisation solution was customised to protect Personal Identifiable Information and to protect the sanctity as well as the sensitivity of the NIN issued by NIMC to registered individuals. “One of the benefits of the virtual NIN is to ensure no third party may carry out any verification, hiding behind a proxy (and without the knowledge of the NIMC, being the Custodian of Identity). ” And also generated Token or Virtual NIN is unintelligent, completely random with no correlation to the NIN and cannot be reverse engineered, even by a Quantum Computer. “The NIN holder is the only exclusive issuer of NIN and cannot be delegated, “Pantami said. He said anonymization was also catered for with the attachment of the UserID of the verifier to every verification request, adding that no NIN, no verification. Pantami said NIN tokens are MDA or merchant-specific and expire after a set period, saying that a token generated for company A cannot be utilized by company B. Abubakar said that the programme aimed to rub minds with stakeholders to ensure understanding of the product and buy-in by all. “We must continue to reinforce the need for every Nigerian to have a digital identity, irrespective of social class or economic status, improve access to all and ensure continuous protection of privacy and data of our citizens and other enrollees. ” We must sustain the momentum by creating continuous awareness programs and sensitizing of the public. Also speaking, the Technical Consultant of NIMC, Mr Tunji Durodola said the Digital Token was designed to replace the 11-digit NIN for every usage for everyday usage. He said NIN had been shared and stored by various entities mostly without the knowledge consent or consent of the ID holder or the custodian of identity in Nigeria, NIMC. Durodola said the improved NIN slip had a smaller form factor and is available to all who have been issued an active NIN, saying they may be purchased without having to visit the NIMC office. “Some of the pre-requisite of tokenization, one needs a NIN issued by NIMC, the mobile number registered in Nigeria and linked to your NIN,” he said. The NIMC Director Legal, regulatory and compliance services, Hajiya Hadiza Dagabana said there was a need for sensitization of the public. She said that the tokenization would be properly disseminated in various local dialects for better understanding. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tokenization consists of 16 Alpha-numeric characters. starting and ending with two letters of the Alphabet. It is issued by an ID Holder, either via the NIMC MWS Mobile ID apps or via USSD on a feature phone and only by the NIMC, while a mobile number linked to NIN is required to participate. A minor Number linked to a NIN is required to participate. Source

How to Print Your Improved NIN Slip

You can print out and even laminate your Improved NIN Slip in plastic now and keep it as a handy physical means of identification that fits easily into your pocket, purse or wallet. The QR code on the Slip makes it easy for its authenticity to be verified by other people scanning it using the NIMC MWS Mobile ID app on their phones.
Improved NIN Slip shadow

The Improved NIN Slip with a QR code which can be printed out

Take care not to leave copies (photocopies, image scans, and so on) of your Improved NIN Slips with anyone else otherwise you leave them with copies of your NIN and verification QR code as well.

Downloading and Printing the Slip

Method 1

    • Launch the MWS Mobile ID app installed on your device (Android or iOS). Make sure you have the current version of the app installed or updated on your mobile device.
    • Enter your PIN on the lock screen to continue.
MWS Mobile ID lock screen
    • Select the “PRINT NIN SLIP” button on the “Home” screen.
Print NIN Slip button
    • A login form with your “USERID” and “OTP” automatically populated is displayed, tap on the “Login” button to continue.
    • You will now be successfully logged into the portal linked to your Mobile ID app.
Print NIN Slip Login screen There are two types of NIN Slip – Premium and Standard – which you can print from your dashboard.
    • To print the Premium NIN Slip, tap on the “PRINT PREMIUM NIN SLIP” button to continue.
Print Premium Slip button
    • Tap the “Pay With Remita” button to continue.
Pay With Remita button for Printing Premium NIN Slip
    • To print the Standard NIN Slip, tap on the hamburger icon on the top left corner of the screen.
Print Standard NIN hamburger icon
    • Select “Print Standard NIN Slip” from the menu options.
Print Standard NIN Slip menu option
    • Tap the “Pay With Remita” button to continue.
Pay With Remita button for Printing Standard NIN Slip
    • Tap on the “Pay…” button for the selected choice of slip to continue. It is recommended you use the “card” payment option.
Remita card payment option
    • Tap on the “Pay…” button for the selected choice of slip to continue. It is recommended you use the “card” payment option.
Remita card payment option
    • Do not cancel or exit the app immediately after making payment, wait for the REMITA process to run to an end by showing this screen indicating a successful, complete transaction.
Remita Payment Successful screen
    • After getting to the successful payment notification screen, tap on the download button to download your NIN slip.
Print NIN Slip button
    • The NIN slip download process will be initiated. For iOS users, you will be asked to choose a location to save the pdf file. Select the “Save to files” option in the next widget that pops up. Tap on the “Files” icon in the apps section on your mobile device and your PDF NIN slip should be there. For Android users, simply check your “Download” folder to find the saved PDF NIN slip.

Method 2

    • First, make sure you have already enrolled and obtained your National Identification Number (NIN). You’ll need your NIN also when installing NIMC’s MWS Mobile ID app.
    • Go to the https://myportal.nimc.gov.ng or https://dashboard.nimc.gov.ng online portal.
    • If you have not already, download and install the NIMC MWS Mobile ID app on your mobile device. Learn more at https://nimc.gov.ng/mobile-digital-id/
    • Access NIMC’s MWS Mobile ID app on your mobile device. Make sure your device is connected to the Internet.
    • On the app’s home screen tap on the “SECURITY PIN” button.
    • Take note of the “UserID” and “One Time PIN (OTP)” now displayed on the app’s “Security PIN” section.
    • Use the UserID and OTP to log into to the myportal.nimc.gov.ng or dashboard.nimc.gov.ng portal.
    • Go to the “Print Premium Slip” or “Print Standard Slip” menu section on the portal’s homepage. Make the relevant payment then download the front and rear parts of your Slip as a PDF document.
    • You can now print out the PDF document, cut it to the right size, fold it and laminate your Improved NIN Slip, if you like.
    • For enquires or support contact mobileid@nimc.gov.ng

“UserID does not Exist” Error Message Resolution

If you get an error message that says “UserID does not exist” when you try to log into the portal, you can resolve the problem by following the steps below:
    • Log into your NIMC MWS Mobile ID app and go to the “Settings” menu.
    • Tap on the “Wipe Mobile ID Data” option.
    • You will be requested to input your NIN again.
    • Log into your MWS Mobile ID app once more.
    • Go to the “SECURITY PIN” button and tap on it, you will find your UserID and OTP to log into the portal displayed.
Learn more about Mobile Digital ID >>
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