Nigeria’s national identity database captures over 136 million — NIMC

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New NIMC card

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•FG pledges full implementation of NIMC’s new Act

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By Progress Godfrey

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ABUJA – The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says Nigeria’s National Identity Database has enrolled more than 136 million Nigerians and legal residents.

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Director-General of NIMC, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, as part of stakeholder engagements on the implementation of the new NIMC Act.

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President Bola Tinubu signed the NIMC Act into law on June 26, 2026, replacing the 2007 Act.

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Coker-Odusote said the new law strengthens Nigeria’s digital identity system by making the National Identification Number (NIN) the country’s primary identity under the “one person, one identity” policy. It also designates NIMC as the root certificate authority for the national digital infrastructure and introduces stronger data protection, cybersecurity and digital credentials.

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Receiving the agency, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, described the new law as a major step towards improving national planning and development. He also praised NIMC for securing the passage of the legislation after years of effort.

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Bagudu said the success of the law would depend on effective implementation and the benefits it delivers to Nigerians, calling for closer collaboration among the federal, state and local governments to eliminate multiple identity databases.

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He stressed that a reliable national identity database would improve evidence-based policymaking, planning, resource allocation and public service delivery by providing accurate demographic and socio-economic data across the country.

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The minister also urged NIMC to strengthen data governance, privacy protection and cybersecurity, while developing safeguards to address emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and protect citizens’ personal data.

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He said the federal government remains committed to the full implementation of the new NIMC Act to build a secure, trusted and inclusive national identity system that supports governance, service delivery and economic development.

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