President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a harmonised national identity system, saying it will serve as a cornerstone for security, governance, and socio-economic development.
Speaking at the 7th National Identity Day celebration in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu—represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume—emphasised that the National Identity Number, NIN, has become more than just a registration tool.
According to him, it is now a key enabler of opportunities for citizens, a driver of transparency in governance, and a foundation for a trusted digital future.
The event, organised by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, had as its theme: “Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure.”
Tinubu explained that the integration of NIN with PKI would ensure that Nigeria’s digital systems are both secure and reliable. “The benefits of a secure and trusted identity system are immense,” he said.
“For our economy, it ensures greater inclusion, better planning, and stronger financial systems. For security, it delivers accurate identification, reduces criminal exploitation, and strengthens the protection of our people. For governance, it provides precision in policy implementation, accountability in service delivery, and confidence in government. And for the citizen, it brings empowerment, visibility, and access to opportunities.”
The president highlighted practical ways the NIN is already transforming daily life. Students now use it to access educational loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Entrepreneurs can rely on it when registering businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission, while the Nigeria Immigration Service uses it to streamline operations.
It also underpins accurate data gathering by the National Population Commission, enhances the efficiency of tax administration by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and secures electoral processes through the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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Tinubu further noted that NIN integration improves admission systems at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and safeguards mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps, reducing fraud and irregularities.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, reinforced the importance of robust identity management, stressing that accountability in public service depends on it.
He pointed out that achieving a secure system requires transparency in procurement, rigorous penetration testing, conformity assessments, and strong regulatory oversight.
He also called for international cooperation, including mutual recognition agreements and alignment with global standards to ensure Nigeria’s digital certificates are widely accepted.
Director-General of NIMC, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, described the NIN, supported by PKI, as a “gateway to opportunities, security, and dignity” for every Nigerian.
She stressed the need for sustained collaboration between government, private sector, and regional partners to expand digital infrastructure and ensure no citizen is excluded.
“Through continued partnerships, we will not only strengthen our digital ecosystem but also position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s identity and digital transformation agenda,” she said.
The 7th Identity Day, stakeholders agreed, underscored Nigeria’s recognition that a harmonised identity system is central to modern governance.
NAN
