Nigeria's NIN Enrolment Hits 136 Million

Nigeria's National Identity Number (NIN) database has reached a major milestone, with enrolment climbing to 136 million as the Federal Government accelerates implementation of the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026.

The latest figure, announced by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), reflects an increase of more than 12 million registrations from the 123.9 million recorded in October 2025.

NIMC Director General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed the milestone during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, part of the Commission's engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on implementing the new law.

She said the NIMC Act 2026 replaces the 2007 legislation and establishes the NIN as Nigeria's foundational identity under the government's "one person, one identity" policy. The law also designates NIMC as the country's Root Certification Authority, while strengthening data protection, cybersecurity and digital credential systems.

Coker-Odusote reaffirmed the government's commitment to enrolling all Nigerians and legal residents as quickly as possible and said the Commission is ready to work with the Ministry to leverage the NIN for economic planning and national development.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described the Act as a transformative step for Nigeria's digital identity ecosystem, saying it provides a stronger legal foundation for a secure and inclusive identity management system.

He stressed that the law's success would depend on effective implementation and called for closer collaboration among federal, state and local governments to eliminate duplicate identity databases.

"The National Identification Number (NIN) should serve as Nigeria's single, universally accepted identity standard, supporting efficient service delivery and good governance," Bagudu said.

Signed into law in late June, the NIMC Act 2026 replaces the 2007 Act and gives the Commission expanded responsibility for Nigeria's digital identity infrastructure. It establishes NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), reinforcing the NIN as the country's primary identity credential for public services, financial systems and social intervention programmes.