Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – National Identity Number enrollment has surpassed 136 million as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) begins implementing a new law designed to transform Nigeria’s digital identity system.
The commission announces the milestone on Tuesday following a stakeholder engagement with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on implementing the new NIMC Act, according to a statement signed by the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke.
The legislation repeals the 2007 NIMC Act and establishes the National Identity Number (NIN) as the foundation of Nigeria’s identity ecosystem under a “one person, one identity” framework.
Under the new law, NIMC will serve as the country’s root certificate authority, with expanded responsibilities covering digital identity credentials, cybersecurity and data protection.
Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, says the commission is working to register every Nigerian and legal resident within the shortest possible time.
“We have successfully enrolled more than 136 million Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database, and NIMC will collaborate with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to leverage the NIN for economic planning and national development initiatives,” she says.
The Federal Government says a comprehensive digital identity system will improve economic planning, strengthen public service delivery, expand financial inclusion and enhance access to digital government services and social intervention programmes.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, describes the new law as a significant step towards creating a secure, inclusive and efficient national identity management system.
“The National Identification Number should serve as Nigeria’s single, universally accepted identity standard, supporting efficient service delivery and good governance,” Bagudu says.
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Otamere Gladness 
Korede Abdullah 
