The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says more than 123 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the national identity database.
Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC’s director-general, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the National Day of Identity 2025.
She noted that the figure reflects a 49 percent reduction in enrolment waiting times, achieved through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships.
Coker-Odusote highlighted NIMC’s collaboration with the ministry of health to link the National Identification Number (NIN) with birth registrations, as well as partnerships with the Nigeria Correctional Service, which has led to over 75 percent of inmates being enrolled.
“At the heart of our effort is the integration of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which guarantees the security, privacy, and accessibility of personal data,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, stressed that Nigeria’s digital identity drive is “not just a technical project but a matter of governance and international credibility.”
He emphasised the need for procurement transparency, continuous testing, and alignment with global standards to ensure that Nigerian digital credentials are trusted worldwide.
“The investments we make today in PKI, data centres, and secure enrolment will be the collateral for Nigeria’s digital economy tomorrow,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He urged the financial sector, technology developers, and development partners to contribute to the initiative, noting that while the government will provide the legal framework, the private sector must deliver interoperable services that can scale.
“If treated as strategic national infrastructure, Nigeria’s identity system will not only meet global standards—it will set regional benchmarks,” he added.
