How to Generate a Virtual NIN (vNIN) via USSD (*346*3#) and Fix NIMC Mobile ID App Errors in 2026

📌 Quick Summary: A Virtual NIN (vNIN) is a temporary, 16-character coded version of your 11-digit National Identification Number that lets you prove your identity without giving out your real NIN. To generate one by USSD, dial *346*3*YourNIN*AgentCode# from the phone number registered with your NIN; the vNIN arrives by SMS. You can also tap “Get Virtual NIN” in the NIMC Mobile ID app. A vNIN is valid for 72 hours, is tied to the organisation that requested it and works from your NIN-registered phone number only. The “agent code” is the code given by the bank, network or company asking for your vNIN. If it fails, check the number, the code and the expiry before trying again.

Banks, telecom companies and fintechs are increasingly asking for a “vNIN” instead of your NIN, especially for NIN-SIM linkage. If you have never heard of it, or you dialled the code and got an error, this NaijaSabi guide shows exactly how to generate a vNIN two ways, what the codes mean and how to fix the most common problems with the code and the NIMC Mobile ID app.

What Is a Virtual NIN and Why Does It Exist?

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says a vNIN is an encrypted, coded representation of your NIN. It works a bit like a one-time code: you generate it, give it to the organisation that needs to verify you and they check it without ever seeing your real NIN. Techpoint reports that NIMC discontinued direct NIN verification in November 2022 and replaced it with this tokenised system. A vNIN is a 16-character code, made up of 12 digits with two letters at each end, for example AB012345678910YZ, and NIMC says it should not be stored in any database, only used to verify you.

How to Generate a vNIN With USSD

NCC’s official consumer FAQ on SIM-NIN linkage gives the format: *346*3*YourNIN*AgentCode#. Follow these steps:

1. Use the right phone. You must dial from the phone number registered with your NIN.
2. Get the agent code. This is the code of the organisation asking for your vNIN. A bank, a telecom company or an app will usually tell you what it is.
3. Dial the full string. For example, *346*3*(your 11-digit NIN)*(agent code)#. Replace the brackets with your real NIN and the real code and remove the brackets.
4. Wait for the SMS. NCC’s FAQ says an SMS containing the vNIN is sent to you.
5. Use it promptly. Give it to the organisation within its validity period.

NIBSS’s user guidance says the process starts with *346*3# from your registered number, and a Youverify guide adds that the exact enterprise or agent code is then required, depending on who is asking. Always dial the full string with your NIN and the agent code.

Enterprise codes reported for some networks

These codes were reported in 2024–2026 and can change, so always confirm with your network or the organisation before dialling.

How to Generate a vNIN With the NIMC Mobile ID App

1. Open the NIMC Mobile ID app and log in with your PIN.
2. On the home screen, tap “Get Virtual NIN”, then “Get Started”.
3. Choose the organisation to receive your vNIN, using one of three options: search for the approved enterprise by name, enter the enterprise short code the organisation gave you, or scan its QR code.
4. Select the organisation and tap Proceed.
5. Your vNIN is displayed on screen.

The app is free to download, and the app name varies in guides (“MWS NIMC Mobile ID” or “MWS: NIMC Personal ID”), so search for NIMC in your phone’s store and install the official one.

vNIN Rules You Must Know

• It expires after 72 hours. Generate a new one if it runs out.
• It is tied to the organisation. A vNIN generated for one organisation may not work for another, according to a Youverify guide.
• It is for one-time verification. Dojah’s verification guide says a vNIN only works once, so do not reuse an old one.
• Use only your NIN-registered number. Both the USSD and the app work only with the number linked to your NIN.
• Do not share it carelessly. Give it only to the organisation you generated it for.

Fixing vNIN Problems

• The vNIN is rejected. Check that you generated it for the correct organisation and that it has not expired, then generate a new one.
• USSD gives an error. Make sure you are dialling from the number registered with your NIN and that your NIN and agent code are entered correctly.
• No SMS arrives. The SMS goes to the NIN-registered line; check that SIM and your network signal, and wait a few minutes.
• “Not registered” message. One guide says this means your NIN is not yet linked to that line, so link it first or use the NIMC app instead.
• “Validation failed”. A 2026 MTN guide lists a wrong NIN, a NIN not yet active in the NIMC database or a network delay as causes, and suggests checking the NIN and retrying after 24 to 48 hours.
• Repeated errors. A guide citing NCC advises calling your network’s helpline if USSD errors persist from the correct number.

Fixing NIMC Mobile ID App Errors

An older setup guide describes the sign-up flow: enter your NIN, verify that the phone number matches the one used at NIN registration, enter the OTP sent to it and set a 6-digit PIN. These are the common problems reported in guides:

• OTP not arriving. Use the official app, check that your registered number is active and your internet is stable, then retry.
• Phone number does not match. If the number you registered has changed, the setup guide says to update it through the NIMC self-service portal, or visit an approved NIMC centre with valid ID.
• “NIN not found”. This can happen when you enter the wrong number or your record has not fully synced.
• App not working or slow. Downtime happens. Retry later, and use USSD in the meantime.
• Lost the registered SIM. Go to a NIMC enrolment centre with a valid ID.
• Verification failures elsewhere. A mismatch between your NIN and BVN records is a common cause when another app rejects you, and fixing the record at NIMC or your bank is the lasting solution. See NaijaSabi’s BVN and NIN guide.

The “My Devices” section of the app lists the phone numbers linked to your NIN, which helps you check which number is registered.

Safety: Protect Your NIN

• Generate a vNIN only for an organisation you have chosen to deal with.
• Never give your vNIN, NIN or app PIN to someone who calls or messages you unexpectedly.
• Use only the official NIMC channels and the codes given by your network or the organisation.

Frequently Asked Questions — Virtual NIN

What is the USSD code for a virtual NIN?

*346*3*YourNIN*AgentCode#, dialled from the phone number registered with your NIN. The vNIN is sent to you by SMS.

How long does a vNIN last?

72 hours. After that, generate a new one.

What is an agent code or enterprise code?

It is the code of the organisation asking for your vNIN, such as a network, bank or app. Get it from them.

Can I generate a vNIN without the app?

Yes, with the USSD code from your registered phone number.

Why is my vNIN not working?

It may have expired, been generated for a different organisation, or been requested from a number that is not registered with your NIN. Generate a fresh one and check the code and number.

What if my phone number has changed?

Update it through the NIMC self-service portal, or visit an approved NIMC centre with valid ID, then retry.

Sources

1. Nigerian Communications Commission — Consumer Affairs FAQs on SIM-NIN Linkage (vNIN USSD format, app button) — ncc.gov.ng
2. NIBSS Contact Centre — How to get my virtual NIN (app steps, *346*3#) — contactcentre.nibss-plc.com.ng
3. Techpoint Africa — NIMC reminds Nigerians of NIN tokenisation (discontinued NIN verification, vNIN) — techpoint.africa
4. Youverify — How to generate a virtual NIN via the NIMC app and USSD; NIMC launches virtual NIN — youverify.co
5. Dojah — Lookup virtual NIN documentation and virtual NIN verification guide (16-character format, 72 hours, single use) — docs.dojah.io, dojah.io
6. News Agency of Nigeria — NIN-SIM linkage: subscribers lament barred phone lines (MTN code) — nannews.ng
7. BusinessDay and Nairametrics — Airtel vNIN and linkage steps — businessday.ng, nairametrics.com
8. Useswapto — How to Link NIN to an MTN Line (2026) (validation errors) — useswapto.com
9. GovServ Nigeria — How to get and set up the NIMC mobile app (older setup guide) — govserv.ng

Last updated: 27 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Civic Desk. Codes, enterprise IDs and app screens change; confirm with NIMC, your network or the organisation asking for your vNIN. NaijaSabi is not affiliated with NIMC.