Nigeria has recorded over 136 million enrolments in its national identity database as the Federal Government begins implementing a new legal framework aimed at overhauling the country’s digital identity system.
The Punch reported that the update was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Corporate Communications at the National Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke, after the commission held a stakeholder engagement with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on the implementation of the new NIMC Act.
The newly enacted legislation replaces the 2007 NIMC Act and establishes the National Identification Number as the foundation of Nigeria’s identity ecosystem under a “one person, one identity” model.
The framework is intended to create a single, reliable identity system for all Nigerians and legal residents.
The law also designates NIMC as the country’s root certificate authority for digital identity, expanding the commission’s responsibilities to include digital credentials, cybersecurity and data protection.
NIMC Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the agency is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian and legal resident is enrolled and issued a National Identification Number as quickly as possible.
“We have successfully enrolled more than 136 million Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database, and NIMC will collaborate with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to leverage the NIN for economic planning and national development initiatives,” she said.
According to the government, a robust national identity database will enhance public service delivery, improve economic planning and increase access to digital services such as financial inclusion initiatives and social intervention programmes.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described the new legislation as a significant step towards creating a secure, efficient and inclusive identity management system.
Bagudu stressed that the success of the law would depend on its implementation and the tangible benefits it delivers to citizens. He also called for stronger collaboration among the federal, state and local governments to eliminate multiple identity databases across the country.
“The National Identification Number should serve as Nigeria’s single, universally accepted identity standard, supporting efficient service delivery and good governance,” he said.
Nigeria’s drive towards a unified digital identity system aligns with a growing global trend in which governments are deploying secure digital identification infrastructure to improve governance, curb fraud and expand access to both public and private sector services.
