By Adeyemi Adepetun
As of the end of quarter one 2025, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued 1.5 million National Identification Numbers (NINs) as the total enrollment figure climbed to 118.4 million as of March. It moved from 117.3 million in February, adding 1.1 million enrollees.
Findings showed that the NIMC has established 152 diaspora enrollment centres across 38 countries. These centres are designed to facilitate the registration of Nigerians residing abroad and ensure they have access to their NIN.
On the Q1 data, checks by The Guardian showed that the highest cumulative enrolment figure of over 12.7 million was recorded in Lagos State. The data further showed that NIMC, as of Q1 2025, has 66.9 million NINs (56.5 per cent) to male enrollees, while females got 51.5 million (43.5 per cent).
The leading top 10 states with issued NINs have 57.4 million collectively, with Lagos having 12.7 million, Kano, 10.4 million; Kaduna, 6.99 million; Ogun, 4.96 million; Oyo, 4.59 million; and Katsina, 4.04 million. Others are Abuja, 3.83 million; Rivers, 3.56 million; Delta, 3.22 million; and Jigawa, 3.1 million.
The bottom 10 states on NIMC radar for NINs are Imo, 2.04 million; Kwara, 2.01 million; Enugu, 1.96 million; Kogi, 1.91 million; Yobe, 1.86 million; Taraba, 1.79 million; Cross River, 1.40 million; Ekiti, 1.14 million; Ebonyi, 999,991 and Bayelsa, 767, 620.
MEANWHILE, NIMC has reiterated the need for Nigerians not to share their NIN details with anybody.NIMC stated this and specifically prevailed on Anambra residents not to exchange their NINs for money, saying this contravenes the NIMC Act No 23, 2007, Data Protection Act, and Cyber Crime Act.
The Commission said upon receiving the information on the activities of the unscrupulous individuals, NIMC, in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), swiftly arrested the culprits behind the illegal collection of the NIN. They are currently being interrogated and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Head of Corporate Communications Unit, Dr Kayode Adegoke, said the Commission, therefore, advises Anambra State residents and Nigerians to avoid submitting their NINs to unauthorised individuals, organisations, or platforms, as the Federal Government and NIMC have not authorised this. Anyone caught will be sanctioned appropriately.
NIMC warned that at no time should NIN holders give out their NINs for monetary compensation, saying this is against the laws of the Federation. It emphasised that anyone caught would be dealt with appropriately.
The Commission had earlier issued a statement warning Nigerians against sharing their NIN or data with anyone or on any fictitious sites. It said the NIN can only be used by the holders to access government or private sector services, and it must be verified.
