Nigeria has achieved a major milestone in its national identity registration program, with over 126 million citizens now enrolled in the National Identity Database. President Bola Tinubu announced this development during the 7th National Identity Day Celebration in Abuja, describing it as “126 million narratives of visibility, empowerment, and inclusion.” The figure marks a significant increase from the 122 million registrations reported earlier this year.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database, which has a total capacity of 250 million, demonstrates significant room for continued enrollment growth. The program has made substantial progress in reaching diverse populations, with more than 75 percent of inmates in Nigerian correctional facilities now registered and a 52 percent improvement in diaspora enrollment.
NIMC has expanded its infrastructure both domestically and internationally, operating over 200 enrollment centers. The improvements have resulted in a 49 percent reduction in National Identity Number (NIN) enrollment processing time and the elimination of extortion during the enrollment process. The progress follows the NIMC’s recent termination of over 100 registration partners due to extortion violations.
The initiative has evolved beyond administrative functions to become integral to citizenship, security, and opportunity in Nigeria. A key development has been the integration of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) across various sectors, including governance, banking, healthcare, education, and national security systems. The integration complements the recent launch of the NINAuth mobile application, which provides secure identity verification services nationwide.
NIMC Director General/CEO Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote confirmed that the database infrastructure meets high security standards consistent with global practices, emphasizing security, trust, and integrity. She addressed concerns by affirming that the database remains secure and uncompromised, particularly important given recent investigations into allegations of illegal data sales by government agents.
The celebration event demonstrated broad governmental support, with attendance from multiple cabinet members including the Ministers of Interior, Justice and Attorney General, Budget and National Planning, State for Works, and Agriculture.
“Identity is power, protection, and participation. Every individual counted is a step closer to a stronger nation,” said President Tinubu during the event. “PKI, a system that provides secure digital trust, is now being integrated across governance, banking, healthcare, education and national security systems.”
“The investments we make today in PKI, data centres and secure enrolment will be the collateral for Nigeria’s digital economy tomorrow,” said Coker-Odusote. “They will enable secure cross border commerce, diaspora engagement and global trust in Nigerian credentials.”
Sources: Voice of Nigeria, The Guardian Nigeria, Arise TV, The Point, BusinessDay
