President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that over 126 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Identity Database with their National Identification Numbers (NIN).
He made this known on Tuesday at the 7th National Day of Identity, organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President commended NIMC for clearing over 2.5 million backlog records in the past two years and arresting more than 30 individuals for operating fake registration centres.
Tinubu expressed delight that NIMC’s mobile and web self-service applications have processed over half a million record updates, while more than 800 mobile enrolment devices have been deployed nationwide alongside new territorial offices to improve oversight.
Reflecting on the theme of the event, “Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure,” the President stressed that a robust identity system is central to building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.
He said integrating secure identity management with digital public services would not only enhance financial inclusion and social protection programmes but also strengthen national security and governance.
He praised NIMC for its innovations and urged the Commission to sustain its momentum in ensuring that every Nigerian is captured in the database, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and identity management under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Behind this number are workers who can now claim their pensions without fear of fraud. Some students can now access loans and scholarships with ease. Some farmers 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,” Tinubu said.
He added that the expansion has also extended beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“More than 200 diaspora centres now serve Nigerians abroad, while dedicated enrolment exercises have registered refugees, internally displaced persons, and inmates of correctional facilities. In addition, a disability inclusion policy has been rolled out, training more than 5,000 enrolment agents to better serve persons with disabilities. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to leave no one behind,” he stated.
Tinubu explained that NIMC has upgraded its systems, expanding the national database from a capacity of 100 million to 250 million records to ensure that no Nigerian is excluded. He said more than 1,500 enrolment devices are in operation across the country, complemented by over 200 centres in the diaspora.
He also disclosed that NIMC has harmonised and integrated 125 partner agencies, creating a unified ecosystem that reduces duplication, saves costs, and improves service delivery.
“This includes integration with the Immigration Service for passport issuance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service for tax records, the National Population Commission for birth registration, the National Health Insurance Authority for healthcare enrolment, and UBEC for school records. Working with the NCC, NIMC has enforced the NIN-SIM linkage, which has significantly reduced fraud and enhanced national security,” he said.
The President highlighted the Commission’s focus on operational excellence, including staff training, modern work tools, the creation of a world-class customer care centre, and an ultra-modern audiovisual studio for public engagement. He added that staff welfare had improved with salary adjustments, promotions for over 2,800 personnel, and the rehabilitation of enrolment centres nationwide.
“At the same time, clampdowns on extortion and phishing sites have safeguarded citizens and protected the integrity of the system. Working with the Police and security agencies, NIMC has arrested over 30 fraudulent operators, shut down illegal centres, and maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification, a global benchmark for data security. The launch of the High Availability Verification Service now ensures 99.9% uptime for identity verification,” he said.
Tinubu noted that the NIN has become a vital tool for seamless access to government services, financial inclusion, national planning, and security, adding that it has helped streamline social intervention programmes, eliminate ghost beneficiaries, and ensure that subsidies and welfare reach the right people.
He said it also enables access to banking, telecommunications, healthcare, and education services, while boosting citizens’ participation in the digital economy.
The Director General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, in her remarks, revealed that 52 per cent of Nigerians in the diaspora and 85 per cent of inmates in Nigerian correctional centres have been captured in the database.
She stated that NIMC infrastructure had been upgraded across Nigeria and abroad with over 200 enrolment centres, while about 125 government agencies and institutions have been integrated with the NIMC database.
According to her, the upgrades have reduced the time spent on NIN enrolment by 49 per cent and eliminated extortion. She dismissed claims of compromise of the NIMC database, insisting that its systems are “the most secure in the country,” operating with global standards that prioritise security, trust, and integrity.
The event was attended by several top government officials, including the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; and Minister of State for Works, Bello Mohammed Goronyo.
Others present were the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Wada Maida; Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zack Adedeji; Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche; Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun; and the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, praised the NIMC Director General and her management team for transforming the Commission within two years, noting that their efforts also helped the Immigration Service clear over 200,000 passport backlogs within the first six months of the present administration.
