The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reported that the number of diaspora Nigerians enrolled for the National Identification Number (NIN) has increased from 366,164 in February 2023 to 1.49 million in February 2025, an incredible rise of 307.88%. This dramatic increase indicates growing compliance with Nigeria’s evolving digital identity framework. Upward trend has been witnessed in recent years reflecting the federal government’s intensified push to integrate all citizens—at home and abroad—into a central digital identity database.
Specifically, this sharp rise is partly due to the federal government’s stance requiring NIN for new applications and renewal of passports. Nigerians living overseas, many of whom had previously put off registering due to logistical difficulties, are now forced to get the unique identity number in order to use essential government services. The gender breakdown of enrollees shows that 930,044 men and 563,469 women have registered across several countries, underscoring a broad adoption of the initiative among Nigerians living overseas residing abroad.
NIMC expands enrollment to more global locations.
At the same time, overall NIN registrations within the country have also seen a significant jump, rising by 21.24% from 96.5 million in February 2023 to 117 million by February 2025. These figures highlight the increasing role of digital identity in governance, financial transactions, and everyday services. The expansion of the enrolment initiative is crucial as Nigeria strives to ensure that every citizen is digitally recognized, aligning with global trends in national identity management. Recognizing the logistical challenges associated with diaspora enrollment, NIMC has continuously expanded its services beyond Nigerian borders.
Initially launched in 2019, the diaspora NIN enrolment program has spread to 77 countries as of 2023, covering regions across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. More recently, the commission has extended its reach to additional locations, including Togo, Niger Republic, Ivory Coast, the Republic of Ireland, Austria, India, Benin Republic, Canada, Ghana, Germany, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion is designed to simplify the process for Nigerians abroad and ensure seamless access to essential services tied to NIN.
New digital tools aim to ease diaspora registration.
To further ease the enrolment process, the federal government introduced an app in 2024, along with a dedicated diaspora focal point desk aimed at resolving NIN-related issues within 24 hours. Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa also announced plans for a contactless enrolment software, which will further streamline registration and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that many overseas Nigerians have faced. These technological interventions are expected to enhance accessibility and encourage wider participation in the digital identity system.
Beyond mere identification, the NIN initiative has far-reaching implications for governance and economic development. The World Bank, in a 2023 report, estimated that at least 1.7 million Nigerians live abroad. With digital identification becoming a key pillar of modern economies, the widespread adoption of NIN among Nigerians both at home and abroad is expected to boost financial inclusion, enhance security, and streamline public service delivery. The Nigerian government has already secured substantial funding to support this initiative, receiving $228.59 million out of a $430 million funding facility provided by the World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank.
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These funds are being used to improve enrollment infrastructure, expand NIMC’s global reach, and ensure the successful implementation of digital identity programs. The growing relevance of NIN is evident in its expanding role across various sectors. Today, possession of a valid NIN is mandatory for passport applications and renewals, opening bank accounts, Pension services, land transactions, legal and healthcare services, driver’s licenses, Exam registrations such as UTME/DE, and numerous other government services. The importance of NIN will only increase as Nigeria continues its transition toward a fully digital economy, making it a fundamental requirement for citizens within and outside the country.