Over 126 Million Nigerians Enrolled in National Identity Database, Says Tinubu

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that over 126 million Nigerians have now been enrolled in the country’s National Identity Database.

Speaking at an event in Abuja organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to mark National Identity Day, President Tinubu who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the milestone as a key step in his administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The president lauded the NIMC’s recent innovations, including clearing a backlog of over 2.5 million records and processing more than half a million updates through its mobile and web applications. He said a robust national identity system is crucial for building trust in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Benefits of the NIN and Ongoing Expansion
According to President Tinubu, the National Identity Number (NIN) has become a vital tool for improving citizens’ lives by providing “seamless access to government services, improved financial inclusion, enhanced national planning, and strengthened security architecture.”

He noted that the database’s expansion has reached beyond Nigeria’s borders, with over 200 diaspora centres now serving Nigerians abroad. He added that the NIMC has also conducted dedicated enrolment exercises for refugees, internally displaced persons, and inmates.

To support this growth, the NIMC has expanded the database’s capacity from 100 million to 250 million records and has harmonized its systems with 125 partner agencies. These integrations include the Immigration Service for passports, the Federal Inland Revenue Service for tax records, and the National Population Commission for birth registration.

The president also highlighted that the enforcement of the NIN-SIM linkage has significantly reduced fraud and enhanced national security. He said operational excellence has been a key priority, noting that NIMC has invested in staff training and has arrested over 30 fraudulent operators while shutting down illegal centres.