“One Person, One Identity”: NIMC Hits 136m Enrolments as New NIN Law Takes Effect

Nigeria’s digital identity drive just crossed a major milestone.

The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has enrolled over 136 million Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database, NIDB, as the newly signed NIMC Act 2026 comes into force.

The figure was disclosed by Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General of NIMC, during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on Monday.

—What the new law changes—

The NIMC Act 2026 repeals the 2007 Act and replaces it with a comprehensive legal framework to modernise Nigeria’s digital identity architecture.

Coker-Odusote said the law reinforces the National Identification Number, NIN, as the country’s “single foundational identity” under the Federal Government’s “one person, one identity” policy.

Key provisions include:
– NIMC as root certificate authority for Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure
– Stronger data protection and cybersecurity standards
– Deployment of secure digital credentials for citizens

“The Federal Government is determined to ensure that every Nigerian and legal resident is enrolled and issued a National Identification Number within the shortest possible time,” Coker-Odusote said.

She added that NIMC is ready to work with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to maximise the use of NIN for economic planning, social intervention programmes, and national development.

She also commended the Minister, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for his support in delivering the legislation and advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

—Minister: Law is a landmark, but implementation is key—

Responding, Bagudu described the NIMC Act 2026 as “a landmark reform” that will deepen Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and strengthen governance.

“The new law establishes a credible legal framework for a trusted, secure and inclusive national identity management system,” Bagudu said.

But he cautioned that success will depend on implementation and on citizens seeing real benefits.

The Minister called for stronger collaboration across federal, state and local governments to build public confidence and end the proliferation of multiple identity databases in public institutions.

“The National Identification Number should become Nigeria’s single, universally recognised identity standard capable of improving service delivery, enhancing governance and supporting evidence-based national planning,” he said.

—Why 136 million matters—

The 136 million enrolments represent one of the largest expansions of Nigeria’s identity database since NIMC was created.

Government says a unified NIN system will help with:

– Better planning and data for budgeting
– Financial inclusion and easier access to banking
– Security and tracking
– Taxation and revenue leakages
– Delivery of public services and social programmes

With the new law now in effect, all eyes will be on how quickly NIMC can close the gap for the remaining tens of millions yet to be captured.