President Bola Tinubu announced on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, that the linkage of the National Identification Number (NIN) with SIM cards has significantly reduced fraud and strengthened national security. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu made the remarks at the 2025 National Day of Identity, organized by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Abuja.
Tinubu emphasized that identity is now a cornerstone of citizenship, opportunity, and security, with the NIN, supported by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), driving Nigeria’s digital transformation. “Without PKI, digital interactions remain vulnerable. With PKI, Nigeria can build an ecosystem where trust is guaranteed, fraud is reduced, and services are streamlined,” he said. He noted that the NIN has become essential for services like pension verification, educational loans, business registration, healthcare, tax records, elections, and social investment programs, describing it as “the common key that unlocks opportunity.”
The President praised NIMC’s leadership under Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighting that the commission has enrolled over 126 million Nigerians, cleared a 2.5 million record backlog, deployed over 800 mobile enrolment devices, and integrated with 125 partner agencies, including the Immigration Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service. NIMC has also enhanced efficiency through staff training, modern tools, a world-class customer care centre, and an audiovisual studio, while improving staff welfare with salary adjustments and promotions for over 2,800 personnel. Additionally, the commission has cracked down on fraud by arresting over 30 operators, closing illegal centres, and maintaining ISO 27001:2022 certification.
Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to enforcing mandatory NIN use across all sectors to enhance security, strengthen the economy, and promote digital inclusion. He also noted the launch of a verification service with 99.9% uptime.
Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described digital identity infrastructure as critical to national security and economic sovereignty, with ongoing efforts to integrate PKI into Nigeria’s identity ecosystem. He highlighted investments in the Bola Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex to support biometric production and secure border systems, emphasizing that identity is strategic infrastructure for global digital commerce and diaspora engagement.
NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote reported that over 123 million Nigerians are enrolled in the national identity database, with partnerships across sectors like education, healthcare, and correctional services. She noted that enrolment waiting times have been halved, with services extended to inmates, internally displaced persons, and the diaspora. Coker-Odusote cited transformative impacts, including over 449,000 students accessing N86.35 billion in loans through NELFUND and verified farmers receiving agricultural support. She assured that NIMC’s database remains secure despite attempts at breaches, adding that the integrated system aids law enforcement, disaster response, and economic planning.
