No fewer than 123 million Nigerians have been successfully enrolled into the National Identity Database, according to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The Director General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, revealed the figures on Tuesday in Abuja during the 7th National Identity Day celebration, held at the International Conference Centre.
Coker-Odusote explained that over 52 percent of Nigerians living abroad have also been captured in the system. In addition, 85 percent of inmates in Nigeria’s correctional centres now have National Identity Numbers (NIN).
She noted that the Commission has expanded its reach with more than 200 enrolment centres across Nigeria and outside the country. So far, about 125 government agencies and institutions have harmonised their databases with NIMC.
The DG added that with the recent upgrade of infrastructure, the time spent on NIN enrolment has been cut down by nearly half, making the process faster for Nigerians. She also claimed the reforms have eliminated the extortion of citizens that was once common at enrolment centres.
Coker-Odusote dismissed fears of data compromise, insisting that NIMC operates with “the most secure systems in the country,” backed by global standards that prioritise security, trust, and integrity.
The NIN project, first introduced under the Obasanjo administration, has grown into a compulsory requirement for many services in Nigeria, including banking, mobile SIM registration, and access to government benefits. Successive governments have pushed for its expansion as a way to curb identity fraud and strengthen national security.
