Posted by Chinenye on Wed 16th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
President Bola Tinubu has set a major target for Nigeria's national identity system, asking NIMC to get most Nigerians registered before the end of 2026.
(President Bola Tinubu. Photo by Vanguard News)
President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Identity Management Commission to achieve 95 percent National Identity Number coverage by December 2026.
The president gave the directive during the 2026 National Identity Day celebration, acknowledging the commission's progress.
NIN enrolment has reached about 142 million, up from over 80 million when he took office more than three years ago.
Tinubu said the target should be pursued through expanded enrolment at ward levels, mobile registration and continued use of licensed enrolment networks.
He said the vision goes beyond just NIN coverage and that Nigeria must build an identity system that works well, stays secure and meets Nigerians' needs.
The president said the government is laying the foundation for integrated digital services including health records and transport systems while protecting citizens' rights, privacy and dignity.
He stressed that innovation must be matched by responsibility, efficiency by inclusion and security by trust.
Digital change must improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Tinubu commended the director general of NIMC for excellent work over the past three years and called on Nigerians without a NIN to obtain one, describing it as their connection to a modern Nigerian state.
He said the identity system is helping the government's Renewed Hope Agenda and creating job opportunities.
More than 173 private companies, 30 state governments and 14 public institutions have been approved as enrolment agents, generating employment for officers, data professionals and technology specialists.
Tinubu linked national identity to national security, saying a secure identity system is essential to a secure nation.
It helps combat identity fraud, financial crimes and other security threats.
He praised collaboration among the police, immigration service and anti-corruption agencies.
The Interior Minister praised the NIMC director general for delivering excellent results with little supervision and said Nigerians need easier and more convenient access to identity services including those in the diaspora.
The NIMC director general said enrolments have grown from less than 100 million to over 142 million Nigerians and legal residents.
She said the ward-to-ward enrolment project took officers to all local government areas and used National Youth Service Corps members to help enrol people.
She also noted that a self-service platform has processed nearly two million updates, reducing what once took weeks to just 24 to 48 hours on a citizen's phone.