The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the newly amended National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, declaring the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s sole and unified national identity for citizens and legal residents.
The move is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s identity management system by consolidating multiple forms of identification into a single, secure, and verifiable database. Government officials say the initiative will improve public service delivery, enhance national security, and promote more efficient access to government programmes and digital services.
Under the new framework, the NIN will serve as the primary means of identity verification across public institutions and, where applicable, private sector services. The government noted that harmonising identity records would reduce duplication, improve data accuracy, and support evidence-based planning and policymaking.
Officials also stated that the implementation of the amended NIMC Act would accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda by providing a reliable identity infrastructure for financial inclusion, healthcare, education, taxation, telecommunications, and social intervention programmes.
The Federal Government urged Nigerians who are yet to enrol for the National Identification Number to do so through designated NIMC registration centres nationwide. It also assured citizens that efforts are ongoing to expand enrolment centres and improve service delivery to make registration more accessible.
Policy experts have welcomed the renewed focus on identity management, noting that a unified identity system can help curb identity fraud, strengthen national planning, and improve transparency in government operations. However, they also stressed the importance of protecting citizens’ personal data and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s data protection laws.
The full implementation of the amended NIMC Act marks another step in the government’s broader digital governance reforms, with authorities expressing confidence that the initiative will create a more efficient, secure, and inclusive national identity system for all Nigerians.
