By Matthew Denis
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has disclosed that NIMC has made tremendous progress in inclusion, with over 123 million Nigerians now enrolled in the National Identification Database.
The DG made the disclosure during her opening remarks while marking the National Day of Identity 2025 held in Abuja on Tuesday.
While speaking on the theme: “PKI: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure”, she stressed that despite the pan-African challenge, Nigeria’s adoption of Identity Day on August 29, 2019, marked a significant milestone as the first African country to officially recognise the importance of legal identity for all.
“Through this symbolic and bold declaration, Nigeria has positioned itself as a continental pacesetter in advancing SDG 16.9, and we are committed to setting the pace until Africa reaches the standards of countries like Belarus, which has achieved 100% birth registration. As we celebrate this day, we take pride in our progress but recognise that much work remains. As an institution mandated by the National Identity Management Commission Act (Act 23 of 2007) to establish, manage, and regulate Nigeria’s national identity database and ensure the issuance of legal identification for all citizens,” Dr. Coker-Odusote explained.
She added that NIMC has made significant progress and is firmly on the path to global acclaim and success, expanding its national identity database and enhancing inclusivity through innovative technology.
She said: “At the heart of this effort is the integration of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which ensures the security, privacy, and accessibility of personal data, laying the foundation for a digital economy that benefits all Nigerians. In line with SDG 16.9, PKI directly supports the three core principles of this goal: Inclusion, by addressing the challenge of the 850 million people worldwide—half of whom are in Africa, who lack a legal identity, ensuring that no one is left behind; Protection, by securing identities from theft and safeguarding privacy, reinforcing that protecting our citizens’ data is an ongoing commitment; and Empowerment, by enabling individuals to use their identities to access essential services, empowering them to participate fully in society.
“Through partnerships with telecommunications, banking, healthcare, and government services, we are leveraging PKI to improve service delivery, reduce fraud, and create a secure, inclusive, and empowering system for all.
“As part of our commitment to SDG 16.9, NIMC has made tremendous progress in inclusion, with over 123 million Nigerians now enrolled in the National Identification Database. This achievement represents a 49% reduction in waiting times, made possible through the integration of cutting-edge technology and strategic collaborations. We’ve worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, ensuring seamless integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with birth registrations and other critical social welfare services, bringing us closer to ensuring that all Nigerians are registered from birth.
“Additionally, our partnership with the Nigeria Correctional Service has resulted in the enrolment of over 75% of inmates, ensuring that even those incarcerated are part of the national identity system.
“Through technology and our collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, we have experienced a 52% improvement in enrolling Nigerians in the diaspora, expanding our reach far beyond borders. Through the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with the National Population Commission, we are ensuring that vital demographic data is captured, strengthening our national databases. Likewise, our partnership with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, particularly through the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), has seen the successful integration of the NIN with the National Social Register, facilitating better targeting of social welfare programmes.
The DG outlined that NIMC has partnered with over 50 organisations, leveraging their reach to enhance the enrolment process. On the technological front, she explained that devices have been deployed across the country, ensuring that various government agencies, including INEC, NASSCO, NYSC, and the National Population Commission (NPC), serve as Front-End Operators (FEPs) on NIMC’s behalf, expanding the enrolment network significantly.
“We are not oblivious to the gaps that still exist. The female-to-male ratio in our registration process leaves much to be desired, and despite our efforts, only about 60% of children under five have been registered at birth, leaving a 40% gap. These challenges are deeply tied to sociocultural barriers and the physical and digital infrastructure deficiencies we face. These realities underscore the work that still lies ahead in achieving 95% inclusion for Nigerians and residents within the next year.
According to her, this has shaped the content and context of NIMC’s publicity campaigns and reorientation efforts, as the Commission strives to overcome these hurdles and ensure no one is left behind.
In terms of protection, the DG emphasised: “Our continued commitment to protecting the identities of Nigerians recognises that identity theft remains a critical concern. Some individuals have even engaged in the illicit sale and purchase of personal identities, including the National Identification Number (NIN), to exploit the system for fraudulent gains.
“Attempts to infiltrate our fortified database have failed, but these efforts have led to false claims that our database has been compromised, with rumours circulating that people’s data is being laundered. Let me make it abundantly clear: there is no truth to these claims. Our database remains secure, and there has been no breach of data.
“Unfortunately, such misinformation, coupled with social panic, has made it clear that the fight to protect the identities in our custody must be as intense on perception as it is on physical threats. We cannot ignore the reality that, globally, Nigeria has sometimes been associated with internet fraud, often symbolised by the infamous ‘Nigerian prince’ narrative. However, the world must come to terms with the fact that cybercrime is not unique to Nigeria, and the scope of its prevalence is not as it is often perceived.
“In response to these challenges, NIMC has formed a robust partnership with the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre, a collaboration that has proven invaluable in combating cybercrime and ensuring the protection of personal data, including identities, within the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system. I must commend their dogged efforts, which have been instrumental in tackling cybercrime and securing identities across the country.”