President Bola Tinubu has said that the compulsory linkage of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with SIM cards has drastically reduced fraud and boosted Nigeria’s national security.
Speaking at the 2025 National Day of Identity in Abuja through SGF George Akume, Tinubu described identity as “the foundation of citizenship and national security,” stressing that the NIN, backed by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), is now central to Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He revealed that NIMC has enrolled over 126 million Nigerians, cleared 2.5 million backlogs, deployed 800 mobile devices, and integrated with 125 agencies. The commission has also clamped down on fraud by shutting illegal centres and arresting over 30 operators.
According to Tinubu, the NIN has become indispensable for pensions, student loans, business registration, healthcare, tax, elections, and social programmes. He pledged strict enforcement of the Mandatory Use Regulation across all sectors.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and NIMC DG Abisoye Coker-Odusote also highlighted progress, noting that digital identity now drives inclusion, economic empowerment, diaspora engagement, and secure governance.
