The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reported a significant increase in the number of Nigerians registered for the National Identification Number (NIN), with the total enrollment surpassing 117 million as of February 2025. This development marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a comprehensive national identity database for security and economic planning.
According to the latest figures, Lagos leads the registration count with 12.6 million enrollees, followed closely by Kano, which has recorded over 10.2 million registrations. Kaduna ranks third with approximately 6.9 million registered citizens. The increase in NIN registration is partly due to government mandates requiring citizens to link their NIN to essential services, including bank accounts, mobile phone lines, and voter registration.
Despite the progress, millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, still face difficulties accessing NIN registration centers due to infrastructure limitations, bureaucratic delays, and inadequate awareness campaigns. Several citizens have also complained about the inefficiencies and long wait times at enrollment centers.
The NIMC has assured the public that it is working on expanding access through digital registration platforms and mobile enrollment units to ensure that all Nigerians are included in the national identity system.
The government’s push for a centralized identity system is aimed at curbing identity fraud, enhancing national security, and improving service delivery. However, privacy advocates continue to raise concerns about data protection and the potential misuse of citizens’ biometric information.