The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has dismissed claims suggesting that Nigeria lacks a functional National Identity Database, describing such assertions as misleading and contrary to the realities on the ground.
In a statement, the Commission reaffirmed that it is statutorily mandated under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database (NIDB), which it said remains fully functional, secure and actively supporting identity verification, authentication and service delivery across the country.
According to NIMC, the biometric-based database has successfully enrolled more than 130 million Nigerians, each assigned a unique National Identification Number (NIN). The Commission added that the system’s capacity has been expanded from 100 million to 250 million records to accommodate more citizens and legal residents.
The Commission also highlighted its Verification and Authentication Services, which provide real-time online identity verification, as well as NINAuth, a secure digital identity authentication platform designed to facilitate seamless identity confirmation for government agencies, financial institutions and other authorised partners.
NIMC explained that these services enable biometric and demographic matching against the central database and are currently being utilised by stakeholders across various sectors.
The Commission further noted that the National Identity Database plays a critical role in supporting security agencies, law enforcement bodies and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through identity verification, background checks and operational efficiency. It added that the database is central to efforts aimed at harmonising existing databases, strengthening national security, preventing fraud and enhancing public service delivery.
According to the Commission, several security agencies are already leveraging the National Identification Number system and the National Identity Database to address security challenges and eliminate threats to national security.
Reaffirming its commitment to data protection, NIMC said it continues to prioritise data security, privacy and continuous improvement in line with global best practices. The Commission described the National Identity Database as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure, supporting inclusive development, reducing identity fraud and driving the country’s digital transformation agenda.
In line with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NIMC disclosed that it has commenced a ward-level enrolment drive aimed at registering all Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database. The initiative is expected to bring NIN enrolment services closer to communities across the country and improve access to identity-related services.
The Commission encouraged Nigerians who are yet to enrol to take advantage of the ongoing exercise and leverage NIN-based services for personal and economic benefits.
NIMC reiterated its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to strengthen and expand access to the National Identity Database, describing it as a vital national asset for development, security and governance.
