Your NIN is connected to your identity, so knowing which phone numbers are registered against it is an important part of protecting yourself from identity and SIM-registration fraud.

If someone has used your NIN to register a phone number you don't own, that number could potentially be associated with activity that has nothing to do with you.

The good news is that you can check the phone numbers linked to your NIN without going to a telecom or NIMC office.

In Nigeria, the general USSD route currently used to check NIN-linked numbers is *996#. Current guidance indicates that you can use the menu to view numbers linked to your NIN.

How to Check Numbers Linked to Your NIN Using USSD

Step 1: Dial *996#

Open the dialler on your phone and dial:

*996#

You can do this without an internet connection.

Step 2: Select the option for NIN status

Follow the menu displayed on your screen.

The menu can change, so follow the wording shown on your phone rather than relying only on a fixed option number.

Current guides report that the menu includes an option for viewing your NIN status and another for viewing numbers linked to your NIN.

Step 3: Choose “View Numbers Linked to NIN”

Select the option that allows you to view the mobile numbers associated with your NIN.

You should then receive or see information showing the numbers linked to your identity.

Step 4: Go through the list carefully

Don't just check the number you currently use.

Look for:

• Old numbers you no longer use
• Numbers belonging to another person
• Numbers you don't recognise at all
• Numbers you never remember registering
• Multiple lines you didn't know were connected to your NIN

Take note of anything suspicious.

What If You Don't Remember Your NIN?

If you've forgotten your NIN, NIMC says you can retrieve it by dialling *346# using the phone number you provided during your NIN enrolment.

Be careful with websites or social-media accounts asking you to send your NIN, OTP or other personal information just to “check your SIMs.”

NIMC specifically advises users to use its official channels and warns against downloading its Mobile ID app from dubious websites or social-media accounts.

What If You Find a Number You Don't Recognise?

Don't ignore it.

An unfamiliar number does not automatically mean that someone committed fraud using your identity. There can be legitimate reasons for an old or forgotten number appearing in your records.

But if you are certain that a number doesn't belong to you, contact the mobile network operator associated with that number and report it.

Ask them to investigate the registration and explain the process for removing or correcting an unauthorised NIN-SIM association.

If you believe your NIN has been misused, you can also contact NIMC through its official customer-care channels. NIMC currently lists 08000616462 as its toll-free line and 0700 2255 646 as its call-centre number.

Don't Give Your NIN to Random “Agents”

Be careful if someone contacts you saying:

“Send me your NIN and I'll check all the SIMs registered under it.”

You don't need to hand your NIN to a random person on WhatsApp or Telegram to perform this check.

Use the official USSD or official network/NIMC channels.

NIMC also says your NIN should be closely guarded and not disclosed publicly or unnecessarily online.

What About Checking Through Your Network Provider?

Depending on your network, you may also be able to use the provider's official website, app or SIM-registration/NIN portal.

The important word here is official.

Don't enter your NIN into a website simply because someone posted the link on Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp or Telegram.

Before entering personal information, confirm that you're on the network operator's genuine website or official application.

Why Should You Check Your NIN-Linked Numbers?

NIN-SIM linkage exists partly to connect a mobile line with an identifiable subscriber.

NIMC explains that linking SIMs with the NIN database helps establish identity and is intended to improve the security of mobile lines.

Checking your linked numbers can therefore help you discover:

1. Old numbers

You may have forgotten about a SIM you stopped using years ago.

2. Incorrect registrations

A number may have been attached to your NIN incorrectly.

3. Unauthorised registrations

You could discover a number you genuinely don't recognise.

4. Potential identity misuse

If an unfamiliar number has been registered using your identity information, it's better to investigate it early rather than discover it after a problem occurs.

What You Should NOT Do

If you discover an unfamiliar number, don't:

❌ Call the number and threaten the person using it.

❌ Post the number publicly on social media.

❌ Share your NIN online asking strangers for help.

❌ Give your OTP to someone claiming to be an agent.

❌ Pay an unofficial “NIN expert” to investigate it.

❌ Assume immediately that the number was deliberately registered for criminal activity.

Instead, document the number and report it through the appropriate official channel.

What If Your Phone Is Lost?

If a SIM registered under your NIN is lost or stolen, contact the network provider as soon as possible.

You should also consider replacing or blocking the SIM so that someone else cannot continue using your number.

Remember that checking your NIN-linked numbers and securing a lost SIM are two different things.

The first tells you what is associated with your identity; the second protects the actual mobile line.

A Quick NIN-SIM Safety Check

You can do this periodically:

1. Dial *996#

2. Select the option to view numbers linked to your NIN

3. Review the list

4. Identify old or unfamiliar numbers

5. Report anything you don't recognise

6. Keep your NIN private

7. Use only official NIMC and network-provider channels

It only takes a few minutes, but it can help you spot problems before they become bigger ones.

The Bottom Line

You don't necessarily need to visit an office just to find out which phone numbers are associated with your NIN.

Start by dialling:

*996#

Then follow the current menu to view the numbers linked to your NIN.

If you find a number you don't recognise, don't panic and don't confront the person using it. Contact the relevant network provider and, where necessary, NIMC through its official channels.

Your NIN is a unique identity number. Treat it like sensitive information and don't give it to random people promising to “help” you check your records.