Nigeria’s digital ID system accelerates as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that over 122 million Nigerians have registered for the National Identification Number (NIN) as of July 2025.
The figure, according to the NIMC, marks a leap from the 72.7 million recorded in 2022, which is a 49 percent increase in just three years.
This was disclosed by NIMC’s Director General and CEO, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, during a session with digital media publishers in Lagos.
The session was jointly organised by NIMC and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
What This Means
According to Odusote, this increase reflects the impact of wide-ranging reforms within NIMC, including stricter oversight of enrolment centres and a crackdown on extortion.
As of June 30, 2025, NIMC had issued 121.4 million unique digital IDs, with additional registrations bringing the total to 122 million in July.
The surge coincides with improvements in back-end systems and increased integration of NIN across services like banking, telecoms, education, and agriculture, Odusote noted.
“Some of the reforms undertaken have yielded palpable results including a drop in incidents of extortion by more than 40 percent,” the statement read.
Why It Matters
Speaking at the event, NIMC’s Director of IT, Lanre Yusuf, highlighted that over three million farmers and 800,000 students have benefited from NIN-linked interventions.
These include social protection programmes, financial inclusion initiatives, and education grants, particularly for students enrolled in public tertiary institutions.
The Commission also disclosed that over 172 million NIN-SIM linkages have been completed as of May 2025, underscoring the ID’s relevance in daily transactions and national security infrastructure.
From SIM registration and voter verification to accessing student loans and agricultural subsidies, the NIN is now the key to unlocking public and private sector services, experts noted.
Understanding the Media’s Role in Digital Identity
NIMC believes that misinformation and public distrust are major barriers to full adoption of the digital ID system.
To address this, the Commission is enlisting media organisations to help drive the success of Nigeria’s digital ID, and educate Nigerians on their rights and responsibilities within the identity ecosystem.
“We are asking our partners in the media to help us combat fake news and promote transparency in the identity ecosystem. We need to ensure every Nigerian understands their rights and knows that their identity is key to accessing opportunities and services,” Odusote said.
Odusote stressed that enrolment for NIN is free, and that any charges for services must align with NIMC’s official fee schedule. She urged the press to expose illegal practices and support NIMC’s push for greater accountability among its partner agents.
Is a Nigeria’s Digital ID Necessary?
Experts say a robust identity system is foundational to the success of Nigeria’s digital ID. It enables efficient service delivery, reduces fraud, and ensures that interventions, such as palliative distributions or education grants, reach the intended recipients.
Making the NIN universal, according to experts, will require more than just data centres and enrolment points. It will demand sustained public engagement, transparency, and grassroots mobilisation.
NIMC is already taking steps in this direction. In June, the Commission launched a new initiative to train National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to carry out NIN enrolment at ward level.
This, officials say, will help reach hard-to-access areas and reduce bottlenecks in urban centres.
Understanding Regional Trends in Digital Identity
Nigeria’s digital ID is not the only initiative in Africa. Across the continent, several countries are investing in digital identity systems to modernise public services, improve governance, and expand financial inclusion.
Ghana’s “Ghana Card” stands out as one of the most advanced, serving as a multipurpose ID for voting, tax, banking, and even e-passport functionality, with over 17 million citizens enrolled.
Similarly, Rwanda has integrated its national ID with a centralised digital portal offering over 100 government services, while South Africa continues to expand the reach of its Smart ID Card programme, now linked to tax, grants, and banking.
Talking Points
It’s significant that Nigeria has crossed 122 million NIN registrations, a milestone that not only signals momentum but also reflects the impact of reforms within NIMC’s operations.
The sharp 49% growth in just three years highlights how digital identity is gradually becoming embedded in citizens’ lives, especially as it now links to essential services like farming subsidies, education grants, and SIM card ownership.
At Techparley, we view this as a turning point for public trust in government-led digital infrastructure. The reduction in extortion complaints and the new transparency push mark important steps forward.
Crucially, NIMC’s decision to enlist digital publishers signals a growing recognition that trust and adoption aren’t driven by policy alone, they require clarity, communication, and community engagement.
If Nigeria can stay the course, the NIN could evolve from a compliance tool into a true enabler of inclusive growth, digital access, and socio-economic participation.
