National Identity Number is free, says FG On Kindly Share This Story: The Federal Government says issuance of National Identification Number (NIN) was at no cost to Nigerians as the cost of the registration was being shouldered by the government. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said this following complains from some applicants who alleged that they were being asked to pay for the service. The Technical Assistant on Information Technology to the minister, Dr Femi Adeluyi, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. “ The National Identity Number is completely free for all Nigerians and legal residents with Resident Permit from the Nigeria Immigration Service.