The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that over 136 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Identity Database, as the Director-General of the Commission, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, intensified efforts to strengthen inter-ministerial collaboration for the full implementation of the NIMC Act 2026 and expansion of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.

Coker-Odusote held separate meetings on Wednesday in Abuja with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Bernard Doro, and the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, to deepen collaboration on the deployment of digital identity across critical sectors of the economy.

The discussions centred on expanding the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), improving service delivery, strengthening data protection, supporting social intervention programmes and promoting digital identity as a key enabler of economic growth and national development.

During the meeting with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris commended the management of NIMC for the remarkable transformation of Nigeria’s identity management system over the last three years.

He noted that the enrolment of more than 136 million Nigerians into the national identity database represents a significant milestone in the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda.

While acknowledging the progress recorded, the minister stressed that millions of Nigerians are yet to be captured and urged the commission to intensify grassroots mobilisation through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which has offices in all 774 local government areas.

According to him, strengthening collaboration with NOA would help take identity registration to rural communities and underserved populations across the country.

Idris described digital identity as the foundation for effective governance, national planning, economic reforms and social inclusion, saying no government can adequately plan for its citizens without reliable demographic data.

He also applauded NIMC for maintaining a secure national identity database without any reported data breach, noting that public confidence in the system depends largely on strong privacy protection and transparency.

The minister assured the commission of the support of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information, including the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the National Orientation Agency, to drive nationwide awareness campaigns on identity enrolment.

Responding, Coker-Odusote said the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s legal framework for digital identity by introducing comprehensive provisions on data protection and enforcement against identity-related crimes.

She explained that unlike the repealed 2007 Act, the new legislation incorporates the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and empowers NIMC to prosecute identity fraud in collaboration with security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Director-General disclosed that the commission has reactivated its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) Unit to combat illegal enrolment centres, identity theft, online fraud and other abuses of the national identity system.

She said the unit is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other relevant security institutions to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure.
Coker-Odusote further revealed that NIMC has commenced nationwide ward-level enrolment following President Tinubu’s directive to ensure that no Nigerian is excluded from the national identity system.

According to her, the exercise targets women, children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, refugees and other vulnerable groups to guarantee inclusive national planning and equitable access to government services.

At her meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Bernard Doro, the NIMC boss reiterated the commission’s readiness to deepen collaboration in the implementation of cash transfer programmes, school feeding initiatives and other social intervention schemes using verified digital identities.

She explained that the “One Identity, One Number” policy under the NIMC Act 2026 would eliminate duplication, improve transparency and ensure that government assistance reaches only genuine beneficiaries.

Doro welcomed the partnership, describing trusted and verifiable identity data as critical to improving the efficiency and credibility of humanitarian programmes.

He noted that the ministry already relies on validated identity information for cash transfer initiatives and said Digital Public Infrastructure would further strengthen coordination among government institutions delivering social services.

Coker-Odusote also met with the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, where discussions focused on expanding digital identity adoption within Nigeria’s business environment.

She said broader integration of identity verification into commercial activities would enhance digital trust, improve the ease of doing business and support the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.

The NIMC Director-General maintained that the Tinubu administration has fostered unprecedented collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, enabling the commission to integrate digital identity services across key sectors and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure and inclusive digital economy.