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The short answer
If your NIN and passport details differ, fix the mismatch before you book a renewal: the Nigeria High Commission in London asks for a NIN copy that matches the passport, and the NIS portal compares the passport details you enter with your NIN data. Decide which record is wrong. If it is the NIN, change it through NIMC first; if it is the passport, apply to NIS for a data correction, which also relies on a correct NIN.
Why the renewal stops
The NIS renewal process starts with your NIN and date of birth, then asks for your current passport details and compares them with the NIN record. The High Commission's e-passport checklist for a reissue lists a NIN copy matching the passport alongside the old booklet and the £20 fee. A mismatch in name spelling, name order or date of birth is therefore not something to sort out at the appointment. It has to be fixed before you pay.
Step one: work out which record is right
| What you see | Usually wrong | What to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Passport in married name, NIN in maiden name | NIN (out of date) | NIN name change with marriage certificate |
| Middle name missing or names in a different order on the NIN | Often the NIN, from a rushed enrolment | NIN name modification |
| Different date of birth | Either; check the NPC record | The one that disagrees with your NPC birth record |
| Spelling error on the passport only | Passport | NIS data correction |
| Passport in a deed poll name | Passport route blocked | The High Commission does not accept deed poll name changes |
Your National Population Commission birth record is the tie-breaker for dates. For names, the documents you can prove with, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or divorce certificate, decide what the right version is.
If the NIN is wrong
NIMC's self-service portal handles name, date of birth, address and phone changes. Names need a marriage certificate, sworn affidavit or newspaper extract; a date of birth needs NPC evidence and can be changed only once. NIMC's February 2026 charter lists ₦2,000 for a name change and ₦28,574 for a date of birth change. Our guides cover changing your NIN name after marriage and correcting a NIN date of birth. Wait for the new slip before you start the passport application.
If the passport is wrong
This is a correction of data on the passport, applied for through NIS rather than NIMC. The High Commission's page covers name changes by marriage (marriage certificate, husband's consent letter and data page) and by divorce (divorce certificate, proof of maiden name, other ID in the maiden name); it does not set out other data corrections. Our guide to passport data corrections from the UK sets out what NIS asks for. Make sure the NIN already shows the correct details, because the corrected passport will be checked against it.
Order of work, with timings
- Gather your NPC birth record, marriage or divorce certificate and current passport.
- Decide which record is wrong using the table above.
- Fix the NIN if needed. NIMC's charter gives 48 to 72 hours for most self-service changes and two weeks for a date of birth change of more than five years.
- Download or reprint the updated NIN slip and check it letter by letter.
- Apply on the NIS portal, pay, and book your appointment at the High Commission at 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX, or at a special intervention venue if one is running.
- Bring the matching NIN copy, old booklet, form and fee to the appointment.
A worked example
Example: Tunde's passport reads "Babatunde Olumide Adeyemi" and his NIN reads "Adeyemi Babatunde" with no middle name, from a quick enrolment in 2019. His birth certificate shows all three names. The NIN is the record that is wrong, so he applies for a name modification on the NIMC self-service portal with a sworn affidavit and his birth certificate, pays the fee the portal shows and waits for the new slip. When it arrives he checks that the names appear in the same order as on the passport. He then starts the NIS renewal; the portal now finds the passport details match his NIN, and he takes the reprinted slip to his London appointment. If he had booked first, he would have paid for an appointment he could not use.
Other records to align at the same time
- Your BVN, held by your Nigerian bank; see BVN name mismatches.
- Your UKVI eVisa account, if you hold UK status on a Nigerian passport: GOV.UK says to update it when your passport or name changes.
- Your pension fund administrator, which uses your NIN for data recapture.
Where Pryme fits
Matching records make every account check easier. You can open a Pryme account from the UK, and keep a verifiable statement for any institution that asks you to prove the account is in your name.
Questions people ask
Can I renew my Nigerian passport if my NIN details are different?
The High Commission asks for a NIN copy that matches the passport, and NIS compares the two, so fix the mismatch first.
Which should I correct first, NIN or passport?
Work out which record is wrong. If the NIN is wrong, fix it first; if the passport is wrong, correct the passport, with the NIN already right.
Does the Nigeria High Commission accept deed poll name change?
No. Its page accepts name changes by marriage or divorce only.
How long does NIN modification take?
NIMC's 2026 charter gives 48 to 72 hours for most self-service changes and two weeks for a large date of birth change.
Sources
- Nigeria High Commission London: Requirements for e-passport · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria Immigration Service: Renewal of passport · accessed Oct 2026
- NIMC: Self-service modifications · accessed Oct 2026
- NIMC Service Charter (Feb 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission London: Immigration · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: eVisa, update your details (updated 22 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.