By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria missed the deadline set by the World Bank to capture at least 148 million Nigerians by June 30 as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) disclosed that only 110 million enrolled for the National Identification Numbers (NINs), representing about 47 per cent of the country’s estimated 232 million population count.
The Director General of the Commission, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, stated this at the 6th National Identity Day celebration in Abuja on Monday, adding that her organisation is working to ensure that more Nigerians are enrolled within the shortest possible time.
At the end of 2023, NIMC’s data showed that the NIN enrolment figure stood at 104.16 million. This means that over six million Nigerians have been enrolled so far this year.
As a result of plans to meet the deadline, the FG continued to extend the date.
The NIMC DG noted that Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has become vital to Nigeria’s economic development as it provides a framework that connects citizens to essential services, including social welfare, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
“This achievement presents a unique opportunity for integrating the remaining two pillars of DPI – data exchange and payment – with foundational identity, facilitating effective development and adoption.”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that with the increased number of Nigerians captured by NIMC, effective data protection is now key.
Following the approval of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, September 16 was declared as the national identity day to drive enrolment into the nation’s national identity database.
It is the sixth National Identity Day celebration and officials of the National Identity Management Commission, the federal ministry of Interior and other stakeholders converged in Abuja for the event.