President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the National Identification Number (NIN) will be the key that unlocks every service, opportunity and platform in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

Speaking at the National Day of Identity 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu stressed that the mandatory use of the NIN is central to his administration’s vision for security, economic growth and digital inclusion.

Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, said the NIN project was not just about compliance, but about building trust in national systems.

“This is how we secure our nation, strengthen our economy and ensure that every Nigerian can participate fully in the digital era,” he said.

The president added that Nigeria, as a signatory to global digital commitments, must ensure its identity systems are trusted both at home and abroad.

He urged deeper harmonisation among government agencies, stronger private sector partnerships and expanded cooperation with international partners.

“Together, we can ensure that identity serves as a bridge to opportunity and not as a barrier,” he said.

In her welcome address, Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, announced that over 123 million Nigerians have now been enrolled in the national database.

She said the figure marked a 49 percent reduction in waiting times, achieved through cutting-edge technology and strategic collaborations.

Coker-Odusote highlighted NIMC’s integration with the Ministry of Health to link NIN with birth registrations, and partnerships with the Nigeria Correctional Service, which has enrolled more than 75 percent of inmates.

“At the heart of our effort is the integration of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which guarantees security, privacy and accessibility of personal data,” she said.

Also at the event, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s digital identity drive was not merely technical but a matter of governance and international credibility.

He emphasised the need for procurement transparency, continuous testing and alignment with global standards to ensure Nigerian credentials are trusted worldwide.

“The investments we make today in PKI, data centres and secure enrolment will be the collateral for Nigeria’s digital economy tomorrow,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He urged the financial sector, technology builders and development partners to play their part, stressing that the government would provide the legal framework while the private sector must deliver interoperable services that scale.

“If treated as a strategic national infrastructure, Nigeria’s identity system will not only meet global standards, it will set regional benchmarks,” he said.