Turn this guide into your personal checklist.
Track documents and steps on this device. No account is needed and your progress stays in this browser.
Online, physical or both?
Use NIMC's self-service phone-number modification
Sign in to the self-service modification account, choose Phone Number, upload the police report for the lost or damaged-number case, enter the replacement Nigerian number in +234 format without the leading zero, pay, preview and submit.
A centre visit is the fallback if self-service access cannot be resolved
NIMC publishes the phone-number change as a self-service modification. It also warns that the account can be tied to the original browser or device, so an access problem may need the official unlink/support process rather than a new account.
Find official offices/centres →If the portal will not open the registered account
Use NIMC's official self-service account-unlink/support process or an official NIMC centre. Do not give an unofficial agent the NIN, portal password or police report to unlock the account.
View agency guidance →Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.
Documents, details and prerequisites you need
This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.
Police report for the lost/damaged-phone-number modification case
- Why you need it
- Used for SMS, OTP, recovery or account identification where this service relies on a mobile number. Use a number you control.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 2: Choose Phone Number modification and prepare the police report required by NIMC for the lost or damaged phone-number modification case.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Existing NIN and access to the NIMC self-service modification account
- Why you need it
- Used to match the applicant to the National Identity Database or to verify NIN-linked biodata where this service requires identity matching.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 1: Open NIMC's official self-service modification portal and sign in with the NIN-linked account; where the account is device-bound, use the same browser and device originally used to register it.
- Original, copy or upload?
- Original is explicitly referenced in the guide. Take the original to the relevant verification or physical stage.
The new Nigerian phone number entered in +234 format without the leading zero
- Why you need it
- Used for SMS, OTP, recovery or account identification where this service relies on a mobile number. Use a number you control.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 3: Upload the police report and enter the replacement Nigerian phone number in NIMC's +234 format, omitting the leading zero from the local mobile number.
- Original, copy or upload?
- A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.
Open NIMC's official self-service modification portal and sign in with the NIN-linked account; where the account is device-bound, use the same browser and device originally used to register it.
- Existing NIN and access to the NIMC self-service modification account
- Police report for the lost/damaged-phone-number modification case
Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.
Keep the application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.
Choose Phone Number modification and prepare the police report required by NIMC for the lost or damaged phone-number modification case.
- Police report for the lost/damaged-phone-number modification case
- The new Nigerian phone number entered in +234 format without the leading zero
- Existing NIN and access to the NIMC self-service modification account
Read the next screen or office instruction before moving on; do not assume an extra payment, document or visit is required unless the responsible agency asks for it.
Keep the linked phone/SIM and any official code or confirmation message private and accessible.
Upload the police report and enter the replacement Nigerian phone number in NIMC's +234 format, omitting the leading zero from the local mobile number.
- The new Nigerian phone number entered in +234 format without the leading zero
- Police report for the lost/damaged-phone-number modification case
- Existing NIN and access to the NIMC self-service modification account
Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.
Keep the linked phone/SIM and any official code or confirmation message private and accessible.
Review the new number digit by digit, complete the official modification payment generated by NIMC and submit the request only after the preview is correct.
- Police report for the lost/damaged-phone-number modification case
- Existing NIN and access to the NIMC self-service modification account
- The new Nigerian phone number entered in +234 format without the leading zero
Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.
Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.
Save the modification transaction slip and monitor the dashboard until the request is approved, then verify that the updated NIN record reflects the new phone number.
- Police report for the lost/damaged-phone-number modification case
- The new Nigerian phone number entered in +234 format without the leading zero
- Existing NIN and access to the NIMC self-service modification account
Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.
Keep the application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.
What exactly happens next?
The self-service dashboard produces a modification transaction slip; keep it as the reference for the request.
Payment and submission do not by themselves prove the NIN record has changed. Return to the dashboard and monitor the submitted modification until NIMC approves it.
After approval, confirm that the NIN record now shows the replacement phone number before using it for services that depend on NIN-linked contact details.
If the original self-service account is inaccessible because of the browser/device restriction, use NIMC's official unlink/support route rather than registering conflicting modification accounts.
Find NIMC support routes →Important notes
- NIMC's guidance shows Nigerian numbers in +234 format without the leading zero.
- NIMC says a self-service modification account can be tied to the browser and device used to register it, so changing browser/device can prevent access until the account is unlinked through the official process.
Common questions
These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.
What should I prepare before I start?
Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.
- Police report for the lost/damaged-phone-number modification case — Document
- Existing NIN and access to the NIMC self-service modification account — Identity / account detail
- The new Nigerian phone number entered in +234 format without the leading zero — Document
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?
Mostly online. Sign in to the self-service modification account, choose Phone Number, upload the police report for the lost or damaged-number case, enter the replacement Nigerian number in +234 format without the leading zero, pay, preview and submit.
NIMC publishes the phone-number change as a self-service modification. It also warns that the account can be tied to the original browser or device, so an access problem may need the official unlink/support process rather than a new account.
How much does this service cost?
₦2,000 per updatable field.
Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.
How long should it take?
The responsible agency does not currently publish a reliable fixed completion timeline in the official sources used for this guide.
Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.
What happens after I submit or complete the main step?
Save the modification transaction slip: The self-service dashboard produces a modification transaction slip; keep it as the reference for the request.
Check the modification table/dashboard for approval: Payment and submission do not by themselves prove the NIN record has changed. Return to the dashboard and monitor the submitted modification until NIMC approves it.
What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?
Use NIMC's official self-service account-unlink/support process or an official NIMC centre. Do not give an unofficial agent the NIN, portal password or police report to unlock the account.
Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.
What should I be careful about?
- NIMC's guidance shows Nigerian numbers in +234 format without the leading zero.
- NIMC says a self-service modification account can be tied to the browser and device used to register it, so changing browser/device can prevent access until the account is unlinked through the official process.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?
This guide was last checked on 2026-09-28. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.
Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.
Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?
No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.
Official sources
These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.
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