President Bola Tinubu has praised the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with SIM cards, describing it as a major step in reducing fraud and strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the 2025 National Day of Identity in Abuja, the President said identity is “the foundation of citizenship, the gateway to opportunity, and the anchor for national security.”
Tinubu noted that the NIN, backed by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation, offering citizens greater protection in online transactions and enhancing trust in both government and private institutions.
“Without PKI, digital interactions remain vulnerable. But with it, fraud is reduced, services are streamlined, and citizens can engage with confidence,” he said.
The President commended the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) led by Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote for enrolling more than 126 million Nigerians, clearing a backlog of 2.5 million records, and expanding partnerships with 125 agencies, including the Immigration Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service. He also highlighted improved staff welfare, promotions for over 2,800 workers, and the rollout of a 24/7 customer care centre.
Tinubu stressed that the NIN has become indispensable for critical services such as pension verification, educational loans, healthcare, taxation, elections, and social programmes. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enforcing the Mandatory Use Regulation for NIN, describing it as vital for national security, economic growth, and digital inclusion.
Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also lauded the country’s progress in building a secure digital identity system, which he described as a pillar of national security and economic sovereignty. He pledged continued reforms, including biometric production at the Bola Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex.
NIMC boss Abisoye Coker-Odusote described the NIN as a transformative tool for inclusion and empowerment, with over 123 million citizens now captured in the database. She noted that enrolment waiting times have been halved, services extended to inmates, displaced persons, and Nigerians abroad, and sectoral partnerships expanded in education, healthcare, and agriculture.
She cited examples of impact, including 449,000 students accessing ₦86.35 billion in educational loans and farmers receiving verified support under agricultural programmes. On security, she assured that despite repeated attempts, the national database remains uncompromised.
“By documenting each citizen and resident, we are not only ensuring accurate identity verification but also enabling better planning for security, disaster response, and economic development,” she added.
