President Bola Tinubu has said the linkage of the National Identification Number with SIM cards has helped reduce fraud and improve national security.
Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made this known on Tuesday at the 2025 National Day of Identity organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Abuja.
“Working with the NCC, NIMC has enforced the NIN-SIM linkage, which has significantly reduced fraud and enhanced national security,” he said.
The President explained that identity today goes beyond keeping records, stressing that it is “the foundation of citizenship, the gateway to opportunity, and the anchor for national security.”
He noted that the NIN, supported by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), is now central to Nigeria’s digital economy, making transactions safer and strengthening public trust.
“Without PKI, digital interactions remain vulnerable. Without PKI, citizens cannot fully trust that their data and transactions are secure. But with PKI, Nigeria can build an ecosystem where trust is guaranteed, fraud is reduced, services are streamlined, and every citizen can engage with government and private institutions with confidence,” he said.
Tinubu praised NIMC’s achievements under its Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, including enrolling more than 126 million Nigerians, clearing 2.5 million backlogs, deploying over 800 mobile enrolment devices, and integrating with 125 partner agencies. He added that the commission has boosted efficiency by training staff, raising salaries, rehabilitating centres, and running a 24-hour customer care system.
He also disclosed that NIMC had shut down illegal centres, arrested more than 30 operators, and maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification to ensure data security.
Highlighting its wide use, Tinubu said the NIN is now key to services such as pension verification, student loans, healthcare, elections, and tax records. “The number is not just an administrative tool but the common key that unlocks opportunity, strengthens governance, and builds trust,” he said.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also spoke at the event, saying Nigeria is making progress in building a secure identity system. He described identity infrastructure as vital to national security and economic independence.
“Current investments in PKI and data centres will allow Nigeria to participate safely in global digital commerce and diaspora engagement,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He added that the Bola Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex will back biometric production and strengthen border and passport systems.
NIMC boss Coker-Odusote said the NIN is already changing lives, pointing out that over 449,000 students have accessed loans worth N86.35 billion through NELFUND and verified farmers have received government support.
“By documenting each citizen and resident, we are not only ensuring precise identity verification but also enabling better planning for security, disaster response, and economic strategies. With this integrated system, tracking perpetrators of crimes becomes significantly easier,” she said.
