President Bola Tinubu has announced that more than 126 million Nigerians are now registered in the National Identity Database and have received their National Identity Numbers (NIN).
The announcement was made during an event at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, where the President, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, commended the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for clearing a backlog of over 2.5 million records in the last two years.
He also praised NIMC for apprehending more than 30 individuals involved in setting up illegal registration centers.
“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,” the President said.
Highlighting the nationwide and international reach of the program, he added:
“Importantly, this expansion has reached beyond our 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.”
President Tinubu also revealed that NIMC has upgraded its systems to support continued growth. “The national database has been expanded from a capacity of 100 million records to 250 million, ensuring that no Nigerian will be excluded as enrolment continues. More than 1,500 enrolment devices are in operation across the country, complemented by over 200 centres established in the diaspora to serve Nigerians abroad. These achievements underscore the seriousness with which we are pursuing universal coverage,” he said.
The President noted the integration of NIMC with 125 partner agencies to reduce duplication and improve 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 also emphasized NIMC’s operational improvements:
“Operational excellence has also been prioritized. The Commission has invested in the training of its staff, the provision of modern work tools, the creation of a world-class customer care center, and an ultra-modern audiovisual studio for public engagement. Staff welfare has been improved with the approval and implementation of salary adjustments, promotions for over 2,800 personnel, and the construction and rehabilitation of enrolment centers nationwide.”
President Tinubu concluded by highlighting measures to protect citizens and the system:
“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.”
