The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that the number of Nigerians with National Identification Numbers (NINs) has reached 110 million, marking a 2.39% increase from the 107.34 million recorded as of May 2024. This milestone was disclosed by NIMC’s Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, during an event in Abuja commemorating the sixth edition of the National Day of Identity, themed “Digital Public Infrastructure: Enabling Access to Services.”
Coker-Odusote attributed the increase to the strategic initiatives implemented by the current NIMC management, emphasizing the critical role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Nigeria’s economic development. She explained that DPI offers a framework connecting citizens to essential services, such as social welfare, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
“The role of DPI has become indispensable to Nigeria’s economic development,” she said, adding that NIMC, responsible for managing the National Identification Number, had successfully enrolled over 110 million Nigerians.
Coker-Odusote further highlighted that DPI supports the government and financial institutions by facilitating digital payments, digital money, and digital identity, which are crucial for advancing the nation’s digital infrastructure.
One notable example of DPI’s impact is the Student Loan Initiative, which has benefited 257 institutions, registered 332,715 students for loans, and made payments to over 18,000 students, helping to eliminate financial barriers to education.
She also noted the significance of partnerships with government agencies and private sector entities, including the harmonization of NINs with telecommunication services and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), which have improved digital payments and financial services.
“We are on the right path, and key strides have been made through collaboration and partnerships,” Coker-Odusote stated.
