President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to achieve 95% NIN coverage across Nigeria by December 2026. The directive forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand the country’s digital identity system.
The directive was given on Wednesday, September 16, during the 2026 National Identity Day celebration in Abuja, as the Federal Government renewed its push to expand the country’s digital identity system.
95% NIN Coverage Target Drives Wider Enrolment
According to reports, NIN enrolment has grown significantly under the Tinubu administration, with the number of registered Nigerians now standing at more than 142 million.
The President said the government’s next focus should be reaching more Nigerians, particularly those in underserved communities.
To achieve the target, NIMC plans to expand enrolment through ward-level registration centres, mobile operations and licensed enrolment partners.
The expansion could also make NIN registration easier for Nigerians in rural and hard-to-reach communities. They would no longer have to travel long distances to registration centres.
Why the 95% Target Matters
A broader national identity database could support government services and improve access to programmes that require verified identification.
NIN is already increasingly important for accessing several services in Nigeria, including banking, telecommunications and other government-related processes.
With a December 2026 deadline, NIMC now faces the task of reaching millions of Nigerians who remain unenrolled.
The Federal Government’s target places greater emphasis on making NIN registration more accessible across the country. It also aims to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure.
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NIMC’s wider enrolment strategy will focus on areas where access to registration services remains limited. Mobile registration teams and additional enrolment centres could help bring the process closer to communities that have fewer registration options. The government also wants the identity system to support more efficient access to public and private services that require verified identification.