Nigeria aims for 95% coverage of national identification number by December

Nigeria aims to achieve 95% coverage of the National Identification Number (NIN) by December 2026. President Bola Tinubu set this target on Wednesday, September 16, in Abuja during National Identity Day, as the registry now boasts approximately 142 million registrations.

The head of state, represented by his Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, urged the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to expedite the enrollment process. The number of registered individuals has increased from over 80 million at the start of his administration to around 142 million, according to figures presented during the ceremony.

To close the remaining gap, authorities plan to expand enrollment operations in neighborhoods and communities, enhance mobile units, and continue utilizing accredited agents. The government aims to make digital identification more accessible in areas that are still underserved.

The presidency links this expansion of the NIN to the development of digital public services. Bola Tinubu mentioned integrated systems for electronic health records, transportation, and a more harmonized national data architecture, while emphasizing the protection of citizens’ rights, privacy, and dignity.

The enrollment ecosystem involves over 173 private companies, 30 state governments, and 14 accredited public institutions acting as agents. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also called for broader access to identity services for Nigerians living both domestically and abroad.