Complete USSD codes, SMS methods, and online portals — for every network
Since the NCC's SIM-NIN linkage mandate, every active Nigerian SIM card must be linked to a NIN. If your line isn't linked, it's at risk of restriction — which means no calls, no data, and no OTPs for app verifications like FlipEx.
This guide covers every method for every network, including what to do if your line has already been blocked. Already have your NIN? If not, start with What Is NIN? A Complete Guide for Nigerians first.
Before You Start: Retrieve Your NIN First
You'll need your 11-digit NIN before linking. The fastest way: dial *346# on the phone number registered to your NIMC account — your NIN appears instantly. Need more retrieval options? See How to Check Your NIN on Any Phone.
How to Link NIN to MTN
MTN is Nigeria's largest network — and 'how to link NIN to MTN' is one of the highest-searched NIN queries in the country (22,200 monthly searches). Here are all available methods:
Method 1 — USSD (Fastest)
Dial *785# on your MTN line. Select 'NIN Linking', enter your 11-digit NIN when prompted, and confirm. Your NIN will be linked within minutes.
Method 2 — SMS
Text your NIN to 785 from your MTN line. You'll receive a confirmation message once the linkage is processed.
Method 3 — MTN NIN Portal
Visit nin.mtn.ng, enter your MTN phone number and NIN, and complete the online verification process.
Method 4 — MTN Service Centre
Visit any MTN service centre with your NIN slip and a valid government-issued ID. This is the recommended method if online/USSD methods are failing.
MTN tip: If the *785# code returns an error, try again during off-peak hours (before 9am or after 9pm) — high traffic periods cause temporary USSD failures.
How to Link NIN to Airtel
Airtel has multiple linking options — and a dedicated online portal that handles both new linkages and unblocking requests.
Method 1 — SMS (Recommended by Airtel)
Text your NIN to 121 from your Airtel line. Airtel will process and confirm the linkage via SMS.
Method 2 — USSD
Dial *121# and navigate to the NIN Linking option from the menu.
Method 3 — Airtel NIN Portal
Visit airtel.com.ng/nin to submit your NIN online. This portal also handles reactivation requests for blocked lines.
Method 4 — Airtel Service Centre
Visit any Airtel experience centre with your NIN and a valid ID. For fully blocked lines, an in-person visit is often required.
How to Link NIN to Airtel After Being Blocked
If your Airtel line has been blocked due to an unlinked NIN, remote re-linking via SMS is available for partially restricted lines. For fully blocked lines, visit an Airtel service centre with your NIN slip, a valid ID, and the phone number associated with the line.
Airtel tip: The airtel.com.ng/nin portal is the most reliable option for international Airtel users or anyone whose SMS method hasn't worked after two attempts.
How to Link NIN to Glo
Method 1 — SMS
Text your NIN to 109 from your Glo line. Linkage is typically confirmed within 24 hours.
Method 2 — Glo Website
Visit gloworld.com and navigate to the NIN Linking section. Enter your phone number and NIN to complete the process online.
Method 3 — Glo Service Centre
Visit any Glo service centre with your NIN slip and a valid ID. This is the most reliable method for Glo users experiencing repeated SMS failures.
How to Link NIN to T2 Mobile (formerly 9mobile)
T2 Mobile rebranded from 9mobile in August 2025. The NIN linking process remains the same.
Method 1 — SMS
Text your NIN to 200 from your T2 Mobile line. Confirmation is sent via SMS once processed.
Method 2 — T2 Mobile Service Centre
Visit any T2 Mobile service centre with your NIN slip and a valid ID for in-person linkage or to reactivate a blocked line.
How to Verify Your NIN-SIM Linkage
Once you've submitted your NIN for linking, confirm the linkage was successful by dialling *996# on any network. This is the NCC-mandated NIN-SIM verification code — it will confirm whether your SIM is registered against a valid NIN.
You can also check which phone numbers are linked to your NIN by dialling *346*3#. NIMC will return a list of all SIMs registered to your identity.
Why Your NIN Must Be Linked Before FlipEx Verification
When you complete Tier 3 NIN verification on FlipEx, the platform sends an OTP to the phone number on your account. If that number isn't linked to your NIN, the system cannot confirm your identity and verification fails — even if your NIN is correct.
Linking your NIN to your network first ensures this step is seamless. For the full FlipEx Tier 3 walkthrough, see How to Verify Your NIN on FlipEx.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIN code for MTN?
Dial *785# to access MTN's NIN linking menu. To check your NIN, dial *346#. To verify SIM-NIN linkage, dial *996#.
What is the NIN code for Airtel?
Text your NIN to 121 or dial *121# to access Airtel's NIN linking menu. For the online portal, visit airtel.com.ng/nin.
How do I link my NIN to my MTN line via SMS?
Text your 11-digit NIN to 785 from your MTN line. You'll receive a confirmation SMS once the linkage is processed. This usually takes a few minutes.
How do I know if my NIN is linked to my SIM?
Dial *996# on any network to verify your NIN-SIM linkage status. You can also dial *346*3# to see all SIMs linked to your NIN.
My Airtel line was blocked because of NIN — how do I fix it?
For a partially restricted line, text your NIN to 121 or visit airtel.com.ng/nin. For a fully blocked line, visit an Airtel service centre with your NIN slip and a valid ID.
After linking my NIN to my network, can I verify on FlipEx?
Yes — once your NIN is linked to the phone number on your FlipEx account, you can complete Tier 3 verification. See the full guide: How to Verify Your NIN on FlipEx.
NIN Linked — What's Next?
Once your NIN is linked to your network, you're ready for the final step: verifying it on FlipEx to unlock maximum limits and full account access.
If you run into issues during the FlipEx verification process, see Common BVN and NIN Verification Issues and How to Fix Them. And if your NIN details need to be corrected before you can verify, see How to Update
or Correct Your NIN Details Online.
Got your NIN linked? Open the FlipEx app and complete Tier 3 in two minutes.