The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to the full enforcement of the mandatory use of the National Identification Number (NIN) across all sectors, declaring that identity will remain the bedrock of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The pledge was made at the 2025 National Day of Identity in Abuja, where president Bola Tinubu, underscored the central role of NIN in unlocking opportunities for citizens and driving national development.
Represented by George Akume, the secretary to the government of the federation, Tinubu stressed that the administration’s commitment to enforcing the Mandatory Use Regulation for NIN is not simply about compliance but about building a secure, inclusive digital ecosystem.
Read also: UK court exposes how Gen. Useni bought house with false identity, blocks Ozekhome’s claim
“Identity is more than just a record. It is the foundation of citizenship, the gateway to opportunity, and the anchor for national security,” he said.
The NIN has already transformed access across education, finance, health, agriculture, and social protection, Tinubu affirmed, adding that, “Today, the NIN enables students to access educational loans through NELFUND, supports business registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission, and strengthens the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service. It is also used by INEC for elections, JAMB for admissions, and the NYSC for corps deployment.”
The president added that with over 126 million Nigerians already enrolled, the government will not relent until every citizen and resident is captured, secure, and empowered.
Tinubu reaffirmed: “The National Identification Number must become the key that unlocks every service, every opportunity, and every platform in both the public and private sectors. This is how we secure our nation, strengthen our economy, and ensure that every Nigerian can participate fully in the digital era.”
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of Interior, built on this pledge by situating identity within the broader context of national infrastructure. He stressed that Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is the backbone that guarantees digital trust and ensures that Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) can deliver services at scale. “Identity is the lodestone of modern governance. PKI is not a niche IT project; it is national infrastructure,” he declared.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted government investments, such as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC), which now houses a modern command and control centre, biometric facilities, and data services that support border management and passport reforms.
He also set out five pillars for progress: legal clarity and governance, technical resilience, interoperability and openness, capacity and localisation, and privacy with auditability. “If Nigeria is to meet global standards, our approach must be comprehensive and pragmatic,” he insisted, pledging that enforcement of NIN use will be matched with infrastructure that guarantees reliability, security, and citizen trust.
Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the director-general of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), spotlighted the commission’s strides in inclusion, protection, and empowerment.
Coker-Odusote revealed that over 123 million Nigerians are now enrolled, thanks to new diaspora centres, ward-level enrolment via NYSC members, and partnerships with health, education, and social agencies. “Every enrolment represents a story of visibility and empowerment,” she said.
She noted progress in capturing inmates, displaced persons, and persons with disabilities, while also expanding database capacity to 250 million records.
On protection, the DG emphasized that despite rumours of breaches, the national identity database remains secure, while disclosing that NIMC has partnered with the Police Cybercrime Centre, telecoms, and banks to combat identity theft and phishing, shutting down illegal centres and arresting fraudulent operators. “Attempts to infiltrate our fortified database have failed. Let me make it abundantly clear: there is no truth to claims of compromise. Our database remains secure,” she affirmed.
Read also: From identity to cybersecurity: Stakeholders map road to seamless e-government in Nigeria
For empowerment, Coker-Odusote pointed to practical benefits, citing the integration of NIN with social programs, student loans, and agricultural interventions. She noted that over 449,000 students had accessed loans through NELFUND since 2024, while millions of citizens benefitted from subsidised food distribution and targeted social welfare. “The NIN is more than just a number. It is a gateway to opportunity, security, and dignity for every Nigerian,” she said.
She however admitted that challenges remain, including gender gaps in enrolment and low rates of birth registration. “Only about 60 percent of children under five have been registered at birth, leaving a 40 percent gap,” she said, adding that sociocultural barriers and infrastructure shortfalls must be addressed.
Stakeholders praised the support of development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector, stressing that harmonisation and collaboration will be critical to achieving universal coverage and trust.
The event, themed “Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure”, also saw commitments from international partners and local stakeholders to sustain momentum. Speakers agreed that with PKI, Nigeria can achieve internationally recognised digital signatures, secure online transactions, and cross-border interoperability.
