President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Government to achieve 95 per cent National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment coverage by December 2026.
Tinubu gave the directive on Wednesday in Abuja during the 8th National Identity Day celebration, where he highlighted the importance of a strong national identity system to Nigeria’s digital and economic development.
The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the Federal Government was developing the digital infrastructure needed to harness Nigeria’s identity system as a driver of economic growth.
He said the theme of the celebration underscored the need to connect Nigeria’s digital ecosystem with the country’s digital economy and broader economic development.
“Nigeria’s digital ecosystem must power Nigeria’s digital economy, and Nigeria’s digital economy must help power Africa’s economy. Our identity infrastructure will be a critical component of this ambition,” Tinubu said.
The President said the government’s objective was to establish a system where secure identification could be used to access essential digital services, including online businesses, banking, welfare payments, healthcare, education and transportation.
He added that the government was accelerating the development of a secure national system capable of protecting digital documents, electronic signatures and online transactions.
According to him, the initiative would enable Nigerians to securely sign documents online, verify the authenticity of government documents and strengthen the security of digital payments and official communications.
The administration considers a comprehensive national identity system a key component of its broader digital transformation agenda.
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