According to recent data released by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the count of Nigerians that have National Identification Numbers surged to a staggering 104.16 million in December 2023. This figure shows a commendable growth of 10.77 percent when compared to the previous year’s count of 94.03 million in December 2022. This implies that about 10.13 million individuals enrolled for National Identification Numbers (NINs) during the year 2023. It was observed that 844,167 Nigeria enrolled for NIN on a monthly basis during the year 2033.
However, the Federal Government’s goal of 2.5 million registrations per month remains far reaching. Additionally, the number of NIN registrations in 2023 pales in comparison to the staggering 21.33 million registrations recorded in 2022. NIMC spokesperson addressed the enrollment statistics for 2023, disclosing that as of December 31st, there have been a remarkable 104.16 million unique records. Notably, 530,345 Nigerians residing abroad have successfully acquired their NINs. On a gender basis, 59.12 million males and 45.04 million Nigerian women have successfully obtained NINs.
Lagos State records the highest enrollment figure at 11.4m.
A closer look at the regional statistics shows a near-perfect balance between the North and South in terms of enrollment distribution. Lagos State boasted an impressive achievement with its enrollment figure surpassing 11.4 million, marking the highest cumulative number. Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo are leading the way with the highest number of NIN enrolments, totaling 11.43 million, 9.19 million, 6.45 million, 4.41 million, and 4.04 million respectively.
On the other end, taking the last 5 spots in descending order for enrollment are Taraba with 1.49 million, Cross-River with 1.19 million, Ekiti with 1.03 million, Ebonyi with a total of 839,506 enrolments, and finally Bayelsa with a count of 657,484. The Federal Government, in its blueprint — National Development Plan 2021-2025, has taken a significant step forward. Most recent of these is the Nigerian Communications Commission initiative of linking SIM Registration Data to the National Identity Number Database.
Aim is to enroll 2.5m people monthly on the next 3 years.
NIMC has launched a rigorous nationwide registration campaign with an ambitious goal of enrolling an additional 100 million individuals within a span of three years.The aim is to enroll an average of 2.5 million people on a monthly basis for the next three years. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Acting Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, expressed her commitment to establishing a hassle-free registration procedure for the National Identification Number, both within the country and beyond its borders. She emphasized that a harmonized identity system guarantees that citizens can conveniently access the services they rightfully deserve in a significantly improved and effective manner.
She expressed determination to enhance the functioning and oversight of all aspects related to the national identity, including the NIN enrollment, under her leadership. Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission have jointly instructed all individuals with bank accounts and telecom subscriptions to promptly connect their accounts and SIM cards with their National Identification Numbers (NINs). Both regulatory authorities have relayed this crucial requirement to the public and announced specific deadlines for complete compliance in the banking and telecommunications sectors.
SIM cards without linked NINs will be barred on or before 28 Feb.
The public has been instructed by the CBN to make sure that any accounts or wallets created through agents are thoroughly profiled in the NIBSS ICAD database and correctly linked to a valid BVN and/or NIN. As per directive from the NCC, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria has announced that all SIM cards (MSISDNs) without linked NINs will be barred on or before 28 February 2024. In cases where an unverified NIN is linked to five or more MSISDNs, those SIM cards will be barred on or by 29 March 2024.