President Bola Tinubu has reiterated the importance of a harmonised national identity system, saying it is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s security, governance, and socio-economic development.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the 7th National Identity Day organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Tinubu said the National Identity Number (NIN) had become a powerful tool for advancing good governance, improving security, and expanding opportunities for citizens.
This year’s event was themed 'Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure.'
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu said the NIN had proven to be “a key that unlocks opportunities, strengthens governance, and builds trust.”
“The benefits of a secure and trusted identity system are immense. For our economy, it means greater inclusion, better planning, and stronger financial systems. For security, it means accurate identification, reduced criminal exploitation, and more effective protection of our people. For governance, it means precision in policy implementation, accountability in service delivery, and confidence in government. For the citizen, it means empowerment, visibility, and access to opportunities,” he said.
The President added that without PKI, digital platforms would be left vulnerable and insecure.
He cited examples of how the NIN already supports key national functions — from enabling students to access loans through NELFUND, to easing business registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission, improving Nigeria Immigration Service operations, and ensuring accurate data collection by the National Population Commission.
Tinubu also noted that the NIN strengthens tax administration via the Federal Inland Revenue Service, protects electoral integrity through the Independent National Electoral Commission, facilitates admissions with JAMB, and secures corps members’ mobilisation under the National Youth Service Corps.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said identity management remained central to accountability and effective governance.
“It demands procurement transparency, continuous penetration testing, third-party conformity assessments and clear market rules for Certificate Authorities and Registration Authorities.
It also requires continuous diplomacy: mutual recognition agreements with other jurisdictions, participation in regional PKI fora, and alignment with international standards bodies so that our signatures and certificates are accepted,” he said.
NIMC Director-General, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, described the NIN, backed by PKI, as a “gateway to opportunities, security and dignity for every Nigerian.”
“The NIMC’s work demonstrates that a secure, verified identity is the backbone of a digital public infrastructure,” she said.
Coker-Odusote added that stronger collaborations, expanded technology solutions and regional partnerships were vital to ensuring no Nigerian was excluded from the benefits of the identity system. “Through continued partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, and our regional neighbours we will keep setting the pace for Africa,” she said.
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