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ABUJA – The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has intensified efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s digital identity programme, unveiling a fresh collaboration with key federal ministries as the number of Nigerians enrolled in the National Identity Number (NIN) database surpassed 136 million.
The renewed drive follows a series of in Abuja on Wednesday between the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Bernard Doro; as well as the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh.
The discussions centred on deepening implementation of the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026, broadening the use of digital identity across government institutions, strengthening data protection, and integrating the National Identification Number into public services and economic activities.
Speaking during the meeting with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris said the commission had recorded significant progress in transforming Nigeria’s identity management system over the past three years, describing the achievements as consistent with the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He disclosed that more than 136 million Nigerians had so far been enrolled into the national identity database, while stressing that the commission must sustain efforts to capture millions of eligible citizens who are yet to register.
According to him, collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) would be critical to achieving that objective.
“The National Orientation Agency has offices in every local government area in Nigeria. Working closely with the agency will ensure that identity registration reaches the grassroots where it is needed most,” Idris said.
The minister described digital identity as indispensable to effective governance, national planning and economic reforms, arguing that government cannot accurately plan for citizens without reliable demographic data.
He also commended NIMC for maintaining what he described as a secure identity database, noting that public confidence in the system depends on sustained protection of personal data and transparency in its management.
Idris pledged the support of agencies under his ministry, including the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the National Orientation Agency, to strengthen public awareness and encourage wider enrolment across the country.
Responding, Coker-Odusote said the recently enacted NIMC Act 2026 marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s identity management framework by introducing comprehensive legal safeguards for data privacy and stronger enforcement mechanisms against identity-related crimes.
She explained that unlike the repealed 2007 Act, which contained no provisions on data protection, the new law aligns with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and empowers the commission to prosecute identity fraud in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and security agencies.
According to her, the commission has also reactivated its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) Unit to combat illegal enrolment centres, identity theft and online fraud while working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security institutions.
Coker-Odusote further disclosed that NIMC had commenced ward-level enrolment nationwide in line with President Tinubu’s directive to ensure universal access to the national identity system.
She said the exercise is designed to reach women, children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, refugees and other vulnerable groups who have historically faced barriers to registration.
The NIMC Director-General also used her meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to advocate wider deployment of verified digital identity in the administration of government social intervention programmes.
She said stronger collaboration would enhance the integrity of cash transfer schemes, school feeding programmes and other humanitarian initiatives through the commission’s “One Identity, One Number” policy.
According to her, the initiative would eliminate duplication, reduce leakages and ensure that government support reaches verified beneficiaries.
Welcoming the proposal, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Bernard Doro, said credible and verifiable identity data had become indispensable for the effective delivery of social protection programmes.
He noted that the ministry already relies on validated identity records for cash transfer initiatives and described Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as an essential platform for improving coordination among government institutions.
Coker-Odusote also met with the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, where discussions focused on expanding the use of digital identity within Nigeria’s business environment.
The talks explored opportunities to strengthen digital trust, improve identity verification for businesses and support broader economic reforms through a secure and interoperable identity ecosystem.
She observed that the Tinubu administration had fostered closer collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, creating the institutional framework for integrating identity services across critical sectors of the economy.
The latest engagements form part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to build a robust digital public infrastructure capable of supporting inclusive governance, financial inclusion, efficient public service delivery and evidence-based national planning. With more than 136 million Nigerians already enrolled, the commission is now shifting attention to reaching underserved communities and ensuring that every eligible citizen is captured within the national identity system.
