President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage initiative, describing it as a game-changer in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce fraud and enhance national security.
Speaking at the 2025 National Day of Identity in Abuja, Tinubu highlighted the critical role the National Identification Number (NIN) has played in securing digital transactions and building citizen trust.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President emphasized that the NIN-SIM linkage has moved beyond being a mere administrative tool.
“Working with the NCC, NIMC has enforced the NIN-SIM linkage, which has significantly reduced fraud and enhanced national security,” Tinubu said.
He added that a verified digital identity is the foundation of citizenship, a gateway to opportunity, and a cornerstone for national security.
The President noted that the NIN, supported by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation.
PKI ensures secure digital transactions, mitigates fraud risks, and strengthens confidence in interactions with both government and private institutions.
Tinubu stressed that without PKI, digital systems remain vulnerable, but with proper implementation, Nigeria can maintain an ecosystem of trust where every citizen engages confidently in socio-economic activities.
Highlighting the achievements of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) under the leadership of Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Tinubu noted that over 126 million Nigerians have been enrolled, a backlog of 2.5 million records cleared, and more than 800 mobile enrolment devices deployed nationwide.
Integration with over 125 partner agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Immigration Service, and the National Population Commission, has further enhanced operational efficiency.
“Through modern tools, staff training, and world-class customer service centres, NIMC has improved enrolment efficiency while simultaneously tackling fraud.
Over 30 fraudulent operators have been arrested, illegal centres closed, and verification services now guarantee 99.9 per cent uptime,” Tinubu explained.
The President underscored that NIN is indispensable for critical services such as pension verification, business registration, healthcare delivery, tax records, educational loans, elections, and social investment programmes.
“The NIN is not just a number—it is the common key that unlocks opportunity, strengthens governance, and fosters trust between the government and citizens,” he said.
Tinubu reiterated the administration’s commitment to enforcing mandatory NIN use across all sectors, emphasizing that the policy is vital for national security, economic growth, and digital inclusion.
This strategic enforcement ensures that the benefits of NIN-SIM linkage are fully realized across public and private platforms.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also addressed the audience, asserting that Nigeria is steadily building a secure digital identity infrastructure.
He emphasized that the integration of PKI into the national identity system enhances privacy, protects citizens’ data, and enables secure participation in global digital commerce.
The minister highlighted ongoing investments in biometric production, border control, and secure passport systems through the newly established Bola Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex.
Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, added that the NIN-SIM linkage has become a transformative tool for inclusion, economic empowerment, and national development.
With over 123 million Nigerians now enrolled, the Commission has partnered with more than 50 organisations, covering education, healthcare, correctional services, and diaspora engagement.
She noted that PKI adoption has greatly improved data privacy, security, and usability, while waiting times for enrolment have been significantly reduced. Services are now extended to inmates, internally displaced persons, and Nigerians living abroad.
Coker-Odusote highlighted tangible impacts of digital identity on citizens’ lives, including over 449,000 students accessing educational loans totaling N86.35 billion and verified farmers receiving subsidized agricultural support.
She stressed that NIMC’s robust data management system remains uncompromised despite attempts to breach it, reinforcing the effectiveness of the NIN-SIM linkage.
By documenting each citizen and resident, NIMC not only enables precise identity verification but also strengthens national planning for security, disaster response, and economic policy.
“With this integrated system, tracking perpetrators of crime becomes significantly easier, allowing law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to threats, both natural and man-made,” she added.
Experts have described the NIN-SIM linkage as a critical step toward building a secure, inclusive, and resilient Nigeria.
By connecting mobile users to verified identities, the initiative mitigates fraud, enhances security, and reinforces citizen trust.
The initiative is widely seen as a model for other African countries pursuing digital identification systems.
As Nigeria continues to expand the NIN-SIM linkage, both public and private sectors are expected to benefit from streamlined processes, reduced identity fraud, and increased efficiency.
With continued investment in PKI, enrolment infrastructure, and regulatory oversight, the country is poised to achieve a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered society.
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