The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it is strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity system to improve public service delivery, enhance national security, and support the digital economy of the country.
Speaking at a digital conference in Abuja themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together”, NIMC Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the agency is expanding reforms and partnerships to build a secure and inclusive digital identity ecosystem.
According to NIMC, the National Identification Number (NIN) has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation strategy. The commission said the identity system is now being used for biometric verification, authentication, and access to government and private sector services.
Coker-Odusote, represented by the Head of Infrastructure Technology and Identity Databases, Sulaiman Falade, said a presidential directive issued on April 5, 2024, instructed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to integrate NIN into digital services involving identity verification and data capture.
She said NIMC has already established implementation structures to ensure compliance across public institutions.
“The federal government’s vision is to establish a unified, secure, and transparent digital identity framework capable of supporting efficient service delivery and accountability in governance” – Coker-Odusote
The commission also announced the rollout of the National Public Key Infrastructure (nPKI), designed to improve trust in digital transactions and protect citizens’ data online.
The unified digital identity framework could improve access to government services, reduce fraud, strengthen national security and also support financial inclusion and digital commerce. NIMC stated that digital identity integration would help create a more connected, efficient, and resilient nation.
NIMC states that its database remains secure and that no data breach has occurred. However, concerns still remain around data privacy, cybersecurity risks, and the management of citizens’ personal information.
The commission said it will continue working with public and private sector stakeholders to expand Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure and improve interoperability across services.
