136 Million Nigerians Now Enrolled for NIN, Says NIMC

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says more than 136 million Nigerians and legal residents have been enrolled into the National Identity Database (NIDB), marking a major milestone in the country’s digital identity programme.

Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning as part of ongoing stakeholder engagements on the implementation of the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Commission, the new Act repeals the 2007 NIMC legislation and establishes a modern legal framework for Nigeria’s digital identity system.

The law positions the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s primary identity under the “one person, one identity” policy, while also designating NIMC as the root certificate authority for Nigeria’s national digital infrastructure.

The Act also introduces stronger data protection, cybersecurity measures and digital identity credentials.

Coker-Odusote reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enrolling all Nigerians and legal residents and issuing them NINs within the shortest possible time.

She said the Commission is ready to partner with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to leverage the NIN for improved economic planning and national development.

The NIMC boss also commended the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for his support toward advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Responding, Bagudu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the effective implementation of the NIMC Act 2026, describing it as a landmark legislation that will strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and enhance national planning.

He praised the leadership of NIMC for securing the passage of the new law, noting that it provides a strong legal foundation for a secure, trusted and inclusive identity management system.

The minister stressed that the success of the legislation would depend on its implementation and the benefits it delivers to citizens.

Bagudu also called for stronger collaboration among the federal, state and local governments to eliminate duplication of identity databases across public institutions.

He said the National Identification Number should become Nigeria’s single, universally accepted identity standard to support efficient service delivery, improved governance and national development.