Fatimah Idera
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) reveals that 110 million Nigerians have registered for the national identification number (NIN)as it increases 2.4 percent from the 107.34 million recorded at the end of May. I’m
This was revealed by the NIMC’s director-general, Abisoye Coker-Odusote on Monday at the sixth edition of the national day of identity, themed, ‘Digital Public Infrastructure: Enabling Access to Services, held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, NIMC Director General attributed the achievement to NIMC’s strategic plan, emphasizing that digital public infrastructure (DPI) is essential to Nigeria’s economic development.
“The role of DPI has become indispensable to Nigeria’s economic development, as it offers a framework that connects citizens to essential services such as social welfare, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion,” Coker-Odusote said.
“At the forefront of this transformation is NIMC, responsible for the National Identification Number, which has enrolled over 110 million Nigerians.
“This provides a unique opportunity for the other two pillars of the DPI – data exchange and payment – to be layered on foundational identity for its effective development and adoption.”
Coker-Odusote said digital infrastructure has supported the government and financial institutions in enabling digital payments, digital money, digital identity and digital processes.
“I must say we are on the right path and key strides have been made through collaboration and partnerships with government agencies and private sector players linking of NINs and phone numbers with the telecommunication companies, NIN and bank verification number harmonization with financial institutions to facilitate digital payments, digital money, digital identity and digital processes, amongst others,” she said.
“Coker-Odusote said international collaboration is also essential in integrating innovative solutions and leveraging global expertise while ensuring Nigeria’s DPI remains competitive.
“The enrolment increase may be a result of several announcements by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NNC), threatening to block unlinked phone lines,”
Recall that on August 28, the NCC announced September 14 as the “final deadline” for its NIN-SIM linkage exercise, directing all mobile network operators (MNOs) to complete the verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by the set date.
The commission had said over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, “reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 percent, a substantial increase from 69.7 percent in January 2024.
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