The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced its goal to register 85% of Nigerians for the National Identification Number (NIN) by December 2025. This is part of a major effort to boost digital identity in Nigeria and make it easier for the government to plan and provide better services for its people.
How NIMC Plans to Reach This Goal
During a press briefing held in Abuja, the Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, explained the steps the commission is taking to meet this goal. She said the plan aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on national development, digital governance, and efficient public service delivery.
Dr. Coker-Odusote said that the Ward Enrollment Exercise currently going on across the country will help the government know how many people live in Nigeria. This is important for planning things like healthcare, education, housing, and infrastructure.
“We are working hard to register at least 95% of Nigerians by the end of December, and the Ward Enrollment Exercise is key to making that happen,” she said.
How Many Nigerians Have NIN Already?
According to NIMC’s official website, as of April 30, 2025, around 120 million Nigerians have already been registered and issued a NIN. With a population of over 220 million, the commission still needs to enroll about 67 million more people to reach its 85% target.
Dr. Coker-Odusote added that the Commission is aiming even higher—to register 100 million more Nigerians by December 2025.
NIN Program and the World Bank’s Support
Nigeria’s digital identity program is supported by the World Bank under the Digital Identity for Development (ID4D) initiative. This program started in 2020 to help countries like Nigeria create reliable digital identification systems.
The original goal was to register 180 million Nigerians by June 2024, but that target was not met due to:
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A lack of enough registration centres
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Poor infrastructure
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Low public awareness
Because of these challenges, the deadline has now been moved to December 2026.
Data Privacy and Public Trust
Many Nigerians are concerned about the safety of their personal data. To address this, NIMC is working on improving data security and public trust.
Dr. Coker-Odusote explained that NIMC now allows people to manage their own data through the NIN Authentication System. This means people can choose when and how their data is shared, giving them more control.
NIMC is also:
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Partnering with security agencies to catch those who set up fake NIN websites.
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Working with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to train NIMC staff on how to handle data safely and professionally.
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Ensuring all partners and registration staff are certified in data protection.
“We want everyone working with us to be trained and certified, so Nigerians can be sure their data is in safe hands,” she said.
Stronger Cybersecurity Measures
To prevent hacking or data leaks, NIMC has improved its cybersecurity systems. This ensures people’s information is protected from the moment it’s collected to when it’s stored.
NIMC is also planning to launch a new security system called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This technology allows government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to:
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Verify and sign documents electronically
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Share information securely
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Work together in a more connected digital system
Building a Digital Nigeria
One of NIMC’s bigger goals is to help Nigeria move towards full e-governance—a system where public services can be provided online. This includes:
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Online access to government services
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Digital identification for schools, healthcare, and financial services
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Creating a strong digital economy
Dr. Coker-Odusote emphasized the importance of cooperation between all government bodies, saying:
“We are working with all ministries, departments, and agencies to make sure Nigeria moves forward in digital identity and governance.”
Conclusion: A Step Towards a Smarter Nigeria
With the plan to register 85% to 95% of Nigerians for NIN by December 2025, NIMC is making big progress in building a digital identity system for Nigeria.
This effort will:
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Improve access to government services
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Make national planning easier and more accurate
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Strengthen data protection and public trust
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Help Nigeria develop a stronger digital economy
If successful, the NIN program could become a key part of Nigeria’s journey toward modern digital governance and nationwide inclusion.
