President Bola Tinubu has ordered 95 per cent National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment coverage by December 2026.

The President gave the order at the 8th National Identity Day celebration on Wednesday in Abuja.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President stated that the Federal Government was building the digital infrastructure required to leverage Nigeria’s identity system for economic growth.

According to him, the theme of the celebration emphasised the significance of linking Nigeria’s digital ecosystem with its digital economy and broader economic development.

“Nigeria’s digital ecosystem must power Nigeria’s digital economy, and Nigeria’s digital economy must help power Africa’s economy. Our identity infrastructure will be a critical component of this ambition,” he said.

The President added that the government wanted to build a system where a secure ID could be used for online business, banking, welfare payments, healthcare, school and transport services.

He also said the government was speeding up work on a secure national system that would help protect online documents, signatures and transactions.

He said the plan would make it possible to sign documents online safely, verify authentic government documents, and keep online payments and government messages secure.