President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that more than 126 million Nigerians have been successfully enrolled into the National Identity Database with their National Identity Numbers (NINs).
The President made this disclosure on Monday at the seventh National Day of Identity, organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, President Tinubu commended NIMC for clearing over 2.5 million backlog of registrations in just two years.
The President also praised the commission for cracking down on fraudulent operators, noting that over 30 individuals running fake registration centres had been arrested. He further highlighted the success of the NIMC’s mobile and web self-service applications, which have processed over half a million record updates, as well as the deployment of 800 mobile enrolment devices and the establishment of new territorial offices nationwide.
Reflecting on the event’s theme “Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure” Tinubu stressed that a robust identity system is critical to building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Behind this number are workers who can now claim their pensions without fear of fraud. There are students who can now access loans and scholarships with ease. There are farmers who receive targeted incentives that boost productivity and strengthen food security. There are displaced persons and vulnerable groups who now have proof of identity that enables them to benefit from humanitarian support. This is the true power of identity, and this is the progress we celebrate,” he said.
The President also noted that enrolment has expanded beyond Nigeria’s borders, with over 200 diaspora centres now in operation. He disclosed that refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and inmates in correctional centres have been enrolled, alongside persons with disabilities under NIMC’s inclusion policy.
To support these advances, Tinubu said the national database has been expanded from 100 million to 250 million record capacity, with 1,500 enrolment devices deployed nationwide. He added that 125 partner agencies have been integrated into a unified ecosystem, streamlining services across the Immigration Service, FIRS, National Population Commission, National Health Insurance Authority, and UBEC.
The President also emphasised that the NIN-SIM linkage, enforced by the NCC in collaboration with NIMC, has reduced fraud and enhanced national security.
NIMC Director General/CEO, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, announced that 52% of Nigerians in the diaspora and 85% of inmates in Nigeria Correctional Centres have now been captured in the database. She also assured that NIMC’s infrastructure remains one of the most secure in the country, dismissing claims of compromise.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, praised the NIMC boss and her team for transforming the commission within two years, citing their role in clearing over 200,000 passport backlogs in the Immigration Service.
The event was attended by top government officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Wada Maida; FIRS Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; and the NYSC DG, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Oluseye.
President Tinubu urged the commission to sustain its momentum, stressing that a secure and universal identity system is vital to Nigeria’s digital transformation, national security, and inclusive growth.
