President Bola Tinubu has said that a harmonised national identity system will contribute enormously to the nation’s security and socio-economic development.
Tinubu said National Identity Number (NIN) had become a critical tool in promoting good governance, security and access to opportunities for Nigerians.
Tinubu spoke on Wednesday at the 7th `National Day of Identity Day’ commemorated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Abuja.
The theme of this year’s edition is `Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure’.
He also announced that over 126 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Identity Database.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator George Akume, the president also lauded the commission for clearing over 2.5 million backlog records.
Tinubu expressed delight that the mobile and web self-service applications have processed more than half a million record updates, and deployed over 800 mobile enrolment devices nationwide alongside new territorial offices for better oversight.
Reflecting on the theme of the event, ‘Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure,’ the president noted that a robust identity system is central to building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.
He said the integration of secure identity management with digital public services will not only enhance financial inclusion and social protection programmes, but also strengthen national security and governance.
He commended NIMC for its innovations and urged the commission to sustain momentum in ensuring every Nigerian is captured in the database.
Tinubu further assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to strengthening digital infrastructure and identity management as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said: “Behind this number are workers who can now claim their pensions without fear of fraud.
“There are students who can now access loans and scholarships with ease.
“There are farmers who receive targeted incentives that boost productivity and strengthen food security.
“There are displaced persons and vulnerable groups who now have proof of identity that enables them to benefit from humanitarian support. This is the true power of identity, and this is the progress we celebrate.
“Importantly, this expansion has reached beyond our borders. More than 200 diaspora centres now serve Nigerians abroad, while dedicated enrolment exercises have registered refugees, internally displaced persons, and inmates of correctional facilities.
“In addition, a disability inclusion policy has been rolled out, training more than 5,000 enrolment agents to better serve persons with disabilities. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to leave no one behind.
“To sustain this growth, the commission has upgraded its systems. The national database has been expanded from a capacity of 100 million records to 250 million, ensuring that no Nigerian will be excluded as enrolment continues.
“More than 1,500 enrolment devices are in operation across the country, complemented by over 200 centres established in the diaspora to serve Nigerians abroad.
“These achievements underscore the seriousness with which we are pursuing universal coverage.
“In addition, NIMC has harmonised and integrated 125 partner agencies, creating a unified ecosystem that reduces duplication, saves costs, and improves service delivery.
“This includes integration with the Immigration Service for passport issuance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service for tax records, the National Population Commission for birth registration, the National Health Insurance Authority for healthcare enrolment, and UBEC for school records.
“Working with the NCC, NIMC has enforced the NIN-SIM linkage, which has significantly reduced fraud and enhanced national security.
“Operational excellence has also been prioritised. The commission has invested in the training of its staff, the provision of modern work tools, the creation of a world-class customer care center, and an ultra-modern audiovisual studio for public engagement.
“Staff welfare has been improved with the approval and implementation of salary adjustments, promotions for over 2,800 personnel, and the construction and rehabilitation of enrolment centers nationwide.
“At the same time, clampdowns on extortion and phishing sites have safeguarded citizens and protected the integrity of the system.
“Working with the police and security agencies, NIMC has arrested over 30 fraudulent operators, shut down illegal centres, and maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification, a global benchmark for data security.
“The launch of the High Availability Verification Service now ensures 99.9% uptime for identity verification”.
He highlighted the benefits of the National Identity Number (NIN) to include seamless access to government services, improved financial inclusion, enhanced national planning, and strengthened security architecture.
According to him, the NIN has become a vital tool for streamlining social intervention programmes, eliminating ghost beneficiaries, and ensuring that subsidies and welfare reach the right people.
He added that it also facilitates access to banking, telecommunications, healthcare, and education services, while boosting citizens’ participation in the digital economy.
President Tinubu stressed that the integration of the NIN into various sectors would reduce identity fraud, improve revenue collection, and position Nigeria to compete globally in technology-driven development.
- By Chibuzor Emejor @TheIndependent
