By: Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho
Claim:
A message widely shared on WhatsApp and other social platforms claims that the Federal Government has urged the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to open a correction portal for Nigerians. The post states that citizens can correct their NIN details such as name, date of birth, gender, and others free of charge through links provided in the message.
Verification:
Research show that the claim is misleading and false. The links attached to the message are suspicious and do not carry the official .gov.ng domain used by government institutions. Instead, they redirect to websites such as gvly.xyz, which are often associated with phishing activities. These sites request users’ personal information and encourage them to share the links further, which are classic indicators of an online scam.
However, the official NIMC website and verified communications from the Commission provide no evidence of any free correction portal being launched. Instead, NIMC directs Nigerians to its authorized Self-Service Modification Portal at https://selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng. Unlike the viral claim, this platform is not free. Corrections to NIN records require supporting documents such as affidavits or court orders, and they also attract official service charges.
The so-called free correction portal is fraudulent and designed to steal sensitive personal information. NIMC itself has distanced the agency from the message, warning citizens to avoid falling victim.
The confusion around this fake message may be linked to NIMC’s recent launch of a self-service platform in 2024 to make NIN modifications more accessible. While this legitimate development generated public attention, scammers have exploited it by circulating fake “free correction” links to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians.
Verdict: False!
The claim that NIMC has opened a free correction portal is FALSE. The links being shared are fraudulent, the promise of free services is misleading, and the entire message is a phishing attempt aimed at harvesting personal information.
Conclusion:
The so-called NIMC correction portal circulating on social media is a scam. Nigerians should disregard the message and avoid clicking the suspicious links it promotes. The only legitimate channel for making corrections remains NIMC’s official self-service portal and accredited service centers, where valid documents and service fees are required.
This is another reminder that online scams often exploit trending issues. Citizens are advised to always verify claims through official government channels and trusted fact-checking platforms before taking action.
