President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that more than 126 million Nigerians have been registered in the National Identity Database and issued National Identity Numbers (NIN), marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital identity drive. The announcement was made on September 16, 2025, at the 7th National Day of Identity event held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu praised the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for clearing a backlog of over 2.5 million records in two years and arresting more than 30 individuals running fraudulent registration centers. He also highlighted the success of the NIMC’s mobile and web self-service applications, which have processed over 500,000 record updates, and the deployment of over 800 mobile enrolment devices nationwide.
Under the theme “Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure,” Tinubu stressed that a secure identity system is essential for building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy. He explained that integrating identity management with digital services will enhance financial inclusion, improve governance, strengthen social protection programmes, and boost national security.
According to Tinubu, the impact of the NIN extends to workers claiming pensions securely, students accessing loans and scholarships, farmers receiving targeted incentives, and vulnerable groups obtaining proof of identity for humanitarian aid. Registration efforts have also expanded beyond Nigeria’s borders with over 200 diaspora centres, alongside the enrolment of refugees, internally displaced persons, and inmates. A disability inclusion policy has trained more than 5,000 enrolment agents to serve persons with disabilities effectively.
The national database capacity has increased from 100 million to 250 million records, with 1,500 enrolment devices now in operation nationwide. Additionally, 125 government agencies have been harmonized with NIMC to reduce duplication and improve efficiency in areas such as passport issuance, tax records, birth registration, healthcare, and education. The enforcement of the NIN-SIM linkage has helped curb fraud and strengthen national security.
President Tinubu also highlighted improvements to the Commission’s operations, including staff training, upgraded tools, the establishment of a world-class customer care center, and the renovation of enrolment facilities. Staff welfare has improved with salary adjustments and promotions for over 2,800 employees. Anti-extortion efforts and collaboration with security agencies have led to the closure of illegal centres and the arrest of fraudsters.
NIMC has maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification for data security and launched the High Availability Verification Service, ensuring 99.9 percent uptime for identity verification. Tinubu noted that the NIN facilitates seamless access to government services, enhances financial inclusion, supports national planning, and strengthens security architecture while eliminating ghost beneficiaries in social programs.
NIMC Director General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed that 52 percent of Nigerians in the diaspora and 85 percent of inmates have been registered. She also noted that infrastructure upgrades have reduced enrolment time by 49 percent and eliminated extortion, dismissing claims about the database being compromised and affirming its global-standard security .
