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Impressed with the achievements recorded in over two years, President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), led by its Director General/CEO, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote..
He also maintained that the Commission’s registration of Nigerians for their National Identification Number (NIN) is a common key that will unlock opportunities, strengthen governance, and build trust.
The President spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the 7th National Day of Identity 2025.
It was themed Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure.
He was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen George Akume.
The President noted that the practical use of the NIN is already evident across critical sectors of Nigeria's national life.
Also praising the Honorable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his steadfast support to the Commission, he highlighted the benefits of a secure and trusted identity system.
He said "For our economy, it means greater inclusion, better planning, and stronger financial systems. For security, it means accurate identification, reduced criminal exploitation, and more effective protection of our people.
"For governance, it means precision in policy implementation, accountability in service delivery, and confidence in government. For the citizen, it means empowerment, visibility, and access to opportunities.
"This is why today’s theme is not abstract but practical. Public Key Infrastructure is not simply a technical detail. It is the indispensable backbone that secures our digital infrastructure and ensures that Digital Public Infrastructure is reliable, inclusive, and trusted."
The President added "Without PKI, digital platforms cannot be secure. Without digital identity, PKI cannot function. And without NIMC’s achievements, neither would be possible.
"This is the story of progress that Nigeria must continue to write.
Beyond these strides, the practical use of the National Identification Number is already evident across critical sectors of our national life."
He gave instances of NIN enabling students to access educational loans through NELFUND, supporting business registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission, and strengthening the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
He went on "It underpins accurate data collection by the National Population Commission, enhances the efficiency of our tax system through the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and safeguards the integrity of our elections through the Independent National Electoral Commission.
"It streamlines admission processes with JAMB and secures the mobilization and deployment of corps members through the National Youth Service Corps.
addition, financial institutions rely on NIN integration with the Bank Verification Number to strengthen customer verification, reduce fraud, and expand access to credit, including through initiatives such as the Nigerian Credit Corporation.
"The National Health Insurance Authority leverage identity data to ensure that health coverage reaches the right beneficiaries, while the Pension Commission depends on it to safeguard the entitlements of workers and retirees. Social investment programs use the NIN to deliver targeted government-to-people interventions such as conditional cash transfers and subsidies.
"The use of NIN also extends to the security sector, where law enforcement and intelligence agencies deploy it for accurate identification and crime prevention. It is linked to SIM registration by mobile network operators, thereby strengthening digital security and connectivity."
In the transport and safety sector, he said that the Federal Road Safety Corps and other licensing authorities use the NIN to standardize vehicle and driver records.
"These use cases demonstrate that the NIN is not merely an administrative number. It
is the common key that unlocks opportunity, strengthens governance, and builds trust. It is the living example of how Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure converge to serve the Nigerian people in practical, life-changing ways." the President said
Celebrating the day, he urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the vision of a Nigeria where every citizen is visible, every transaction is secure, and every opportunity is accessible.
Pushing for more progress on the achievements recorded so far, he urged the Commission to press forward with greater resolve in order to complete the work remaining.
"Identity is not only about who we are. It is about what we can become. It is about what we can access. It is about the nation we are building together.
"May this occasion inspire us all to strengthen our collaboration, deepen harmonization, and leverage PKI and Digital Public Infrastructure to deliver a future where every Nigerian is secure, included, and empowered." the President stated
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, also commended the achievements so far recorded by NIMC
Despite the progress achieved, he said that there is still room for improvement, noting that Rome wasn't built in a day.
"NIMC has done fantastically well, bringing ideas out of the box. I believe in what you can do and I know you can deliver."
On her part, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said NIMC is dedicated to expanding its national identity database and enhancing inclusivity through innovative technology.
At the heart of the effort, she said, is the integration of PKI, which ensures the security, privacy, and accessibility of personal data, and laying foundation for a digital economy that benefits all Nigerians.
She said that through partnerships with telecommunications, banking, healthcare, and government services, NIMC is at the forefront of strengthening the identity pillars to improve service delivery, reduce fraud, and create a secure, inclusive, and empowering system for all.
Reeling out statistics, she said "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 enrollment 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 programs.
"In total, NIMC has partnered with over 50 organisations, leveraging their reach to enhance the enrollment process." she added
On the technological front, the Director General said that NIMC has deployed devices 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 behalf of the Commission, expanding the enrollment network significantly.
Inspite of the progress, she acknowledged that gaps that still exist.
She said "The female-to-male ratio in our registration process leaves much to be desired, and despite our efforts, only about 60% of children under 5 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.
"This has shaped the content and context of our publicity campaigns and reorientation efforts, as we strive to overcome these hurdles and ensure no one is left behind.
Protection:"
Engr Coker-Odusote pointed out that identity theft remains a critical concern, despite its continued commitment to protecting the identities of Nigerians.