FG Sets December Deadline for 95% NIN Coverage

The Federal Government of Nigeria has set December 2026 as the deadline to achieve 95 percent coverage of its population under the National Identification Number (NIN) system. This announcement was made by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the 2026 National Day of Identity celebration. The current NIN database has grown from approximately 80 million records at the beginning of the administration to nearly 140 million, representing a significant step towards integrating more Nigerians and legal residents into the formal economic and public-service system.

Gbajabiamila emphasized that each NIN corresponds to an individual with a recognized identity, enabling them to participate in the formal economy, access government services, establish financial relationships, and benefit from state-provided protections. To close the remaining identity gap, the government is implementing a ward-level enrollment program that will extend registration services to all 8,809 wards across the country.

Over 5,000 enrollment agents have been trained to provide accessible enrollment services, including for persons with disabilities, older citizens, and other vulnerable groups. The National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 has strengthened the legal framework governing identity management, including data protection, mandatory NIN usage in critical sectors, and stricter penalties for identity-related offenses.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has also reported substantial growth in enrolment, with the national register now containing over 140 million identities belonging to Nigerians and legal residents. The commission is working to enhance the citizen experience by reducing the time required to update NIN records, processing more than 2 million record updates within 24 to 48 hours through a citizen’s phone.

Looking ahead, NIMC plans to introduce physical National e-ID cards, which will combine identity verification with access to government benefits and financial payments, even in areas with limited internet connectivity. This physical card is expected to be available to Nigerians before the end of the year. These developments are part of a broader government effort to build a digital public infrastructure where a verifiable identity serves as the link between citizens and diverse public and private services.

The identity expansion is already benefiting other sectors, such as education, where accurate identity information is crucial for tracking pupils, students, and teachers, improving educational planning, and identifying out-of-school children.