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President Bola Tinubu has said that the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with SIM cards has significantly reduced fraud and enhanced Nigeria’s national security.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the 2025 National Day of Identity in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu described identity as “the foundation of citizenship, the gateway to opportunity, and the anchor for national security.”
He noted that the NIN, supported by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation, providing stronger safeguards for transactions and boosting citizens’ trust in government and private institutions.
“Without PKI, digital interactions remain vulnerable. But with PKI, Nigeria can build an ecosystem where trust is guaranteed, fraud is reduced, services are streamlined, and every citizen can engage with confidence,” Tinubu said.
The President commended the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) under Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote for enrolling more than 126 million Nigerians, clearing a backlog of 2.5 million records, deploying over 800 mobile enrolment devices, and integrating with 125 partner agencies, including the Immigration Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
He also highlighted reforms within the agency, such as improved staff welfare, promotions for over 2,800 personnel, establishment of a world-class customer care centre, and rehabilitation of enrolment centres nationwide. According to him, the commission has tightened security with the arrest of over 30 illegal operators, closure of unauthorised centres, and the launch of a verification service with 99.9 per cent uptime.
Tinubu stressed that the NIN has become indispensable for essential services, including pension verification, educational loans, healthcare, tax records, elections, and social investment programmes. He said his administration remains committed to enforcing the Mandatory Use Regulation for NIN across all sectors, describing it as vital for national security, economic growth, and digital inclusion.
Also speaking, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said Nigeria is making steady progress in building a secure digital identity ecosystem, which he described as a cornerstone of national security and economic sovereignty. He added that the Ministry of Interior would continue modernising services and supporting biometric production through the newly established Bola Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex.
In her remarks, NIMC’s Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the NIN had become a transformative tool for inclusion and economic empowerment. She disclosed that over 123 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the identity database, with partnerships across sectors such as education, healthcare, and diaspora engagement.
She noted that enrolment waiting times have been cut nearly in half and services extended to inmates, internally displaced persons, and Nigerians abroad. Citing examples, she said more than 449,000 students have accessed loans worth ₦86.35 billion through NELFUND, while verified farmers have received subsidised agricultural support.
On data protection, Coker-Odusote assured that despite attempts, the NIMC database remains uncompromised. “By documenting each citizen and resident, we are not only ensuring precise identity verification but also enabling better planning for security, disaster response, and economic strategies,” she said.
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