President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to work towards achieving 95 per cent National Identification Number (NIN) coverage in Nigeria by December 2026.
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Tinubu gave the directive at the State House in Abuja during the 2026 National Identity Day celebration organised by NIMC.
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The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the target should be pursued through wider enrolment at ward level, mobile registration initiatives and the continued deployment of licensed enrolment agents.
Tinubu noted that NIN enrolment had increased to about 142 million from more than 80 million Nigerians captured in the National Identity Database when he assumed office more than three years ago.
He commended NIMC for its progress and urged Nigerians who had not obtained their NIN to complete the registration process.
The President said the government’s objective extended beyond increasing the number of people with NIN, stressing the need for a secure and useful identity system capable of supporting digital public services.
He said the government was working towards integrating identity infrastructure with services such as electronic health records, e-transport systems and a more coordinated national data architecture.
Tinubu also said the expansion of digital identity services must be accompanied by protection of citizens’ privacy, rights and dignity. He maintained that digital transformation should improve access to government services while promoting accountability and trust.
The President described national identity as an important component of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that identity infrastructure supports several areas of government policy and service delivery.
He also said the national identity system was closely connected to national security, as stronger identity verification and responsible information sharing could help government agencies tackle identity fraud, financial crimes and other security threats.
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Tinubu cited cooperation among agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as an example of how improved coordination could strengthen government systems.
The President also praised NIMC Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, for her work over the past three years and urged the commission to continue expanding access to registration services.
The 2026 National Identity Day celebration had the theme, “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem: Powering Africa’s Digital Economy.”
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also commended Coker-Odusote and called for wider and more convenient access to identity services, including for Nigerians living outside the country.
Tunji-Ojo said NIMC needed to continue strengthening the infrastructure required for secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services.
He added that a stronger identity system would support Nigeria’s digital economy, digital governance and long-term development.
In her remarks, Coker-Odusote thanked Tinubu and the Minister of Interior for their support, saying the backing had contributed to the expansion of the national identity system.
She said NIMC’s enrolment figure had grown from below 100 million to more than 142 million Nigerians and legal residents.
According to her, the ward-to-ward enrolment project, initiated under the President’s direction, played a major role in expanding access to registration, with NIMC officers deployed to communities across the country.
She also disclosed that the commission’s Self-Service Modification platform had processed nearly two million record updates, allowing citizens to make certain changes through their phones within about 24 to 48 hours.
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