Nigeria has repeatedly attempted to build a robust and unified national identification system for over four decades. What began as a simple administrative function of issuing identity cards has become a complex and strategic national priority. This journey, marked by policy shifts, technological experiments, and institutional reforms, reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to establishing a comprehensive digital identity framework that supports national planning, economic development, service delivery, and citizen empowerment.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) first embarked on the quest for a national identity system in 1978, when it established the Department of National Civil Registration (DNCR) under the Federal Ministry of Interior. Tasked with issuing national identity cards, the initiative lasted only 18 months.

In 2001, the DNCR, in partnership with a private entity, launched a renewed effort to enrol citizens and issue ID cards. Over five years, 37.3 million Nigerians were registered before the program was eventually shelved.

By 2013, the momentum shifted with the establishment of the Presidential Committee on the Centralisation of Biometric-Linked Databases in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) an effort to address the fragmentation of identity databases across government institutions.

This was followed in 2014 by the launch of a pilot e-ID scheme under President Goodluck Jonathan. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was authorised to issue ID cards serving dual purposes, identity verification and payment functionality.

In 2015, the Federal Government established a Harmonisation Committee led by NIMC to integrate identity systems nationwide and fast-track the rollout of official IDs.

Further progress came in 2018 when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a Strategic Roadmap for Developing Digital Identification in Nigeria. This roadmap aimed to create a credible and cost-effective approach to managing digital identities across the country.

By June 2019, a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee was inaugurated to advance the unification of digital identity held by various agencies and ensure a single, integrated ID for all Nigerians.

In 2020, the government formed a committee on Citizens Data Management to review the status of ongoing data harmonization projects and consolidate multiple data repositories into a central identity database.

Most recently, in 2024, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, inaugurated the Steering Committee for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project a World Bank-backed initiative. The committee’s mandate is clear: ensure that every Nigerian is enrolled in a digital ID system that improves service delivery, promotes inclusion, and strengthens the digital economy.

Nigeria’s Identity Ecosystem Today

Today, Nigeria’s identity landscape is still fragmented. Over 13 government agencies, at both federal and state levels, currently provide some form of identification service. These include agencies responsible for immigration, driving, elections, banking, health insurance, education, taxation, and more. So the average Nigerian still juggles multiple ID cards, for driving, voting, banking, health insurance, education, and more.

As of February 28, 2025, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had recorded over 117 million unique enrollments, representing a significant milestone in the country’s identity development efforts. This achievement underscores the growing public trust in the system and the increasing functionality of digital identity in everyday governance and service delivery.

How Nigeria’s Identity Ecosystem Works

At the heart of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem is the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the statutory body responsible for maintaining the central identity database. Under the digital ecosystem framework, NIMC collaborates closely with the National Population Commission (NPopC) and other key agencies.

The identity ecosystem is structured into two core layers: Foundational Identification and Functional Identification.

1. Foundational Identification

This layer captures a comprehensive biometric and demographic data that answers the fundamental question: Who are you? Foundational identification is primarily managed by:

• National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) – Custodian of the centralised National Identity Database.
• National Population Commission (NPopC) – Responsible for the registration of births and deaths, offering demographic data that complements identity systems.

First Name

Last name

Email

Country - Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire Bosnia & Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Indian Ocean Ter Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canary Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Channel Islands Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Island Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Ivory Coast Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Ter Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Hawaii Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland Indonesia India Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea North Korea South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malaysia Malawi Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherland Antilles Netherlands (Holland, Europe) Nevis New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Island Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Island Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of Montenegro Republic of Serbia Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda St Barthelemy St Eustatius St Helena St Kitts-Nevis St Lucia St Maarten St Pierre & Miquelon St Vincent & Grenadines Saipan Samoa Samoa American San Marino Sao Tome & Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Tahiti Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad & Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks & Caicos Is Tuvalu Uganda United Kingdom Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States of America Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City State Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands (Brit) Virgin Islands (USA) Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Islands Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

By subscribing to Technology Policy Advisory, you agree to our privacy notice 

Subscribe

Loading...

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

2. Functional Identification

This involves the collection and use of identity data for specific services and eligibility verification. It answers the question: Are you entitled to this service or benefit?
Key stakeholders include:

• Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) – Passport and travel documentation registry.
• Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) – Registry of licensed drivers.
• Nigeria Police Force (NPF) – Registry of individuals with legal infractions.
• Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) – Registry of inmates.
• Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) – Bank Verification Number (BVN) system.
• Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – Voter registry.
• National Communications Commission (NCC) – SIM card registration.
• National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) – Health insurance subscribers.
• Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) – Taxpayer registry.
• Joint Tax Board – Customs and excise identification.
• National Pension Commission (PENCOM) – Pension beneficiary registry.
• National Social Safety Net Project (NASSP) – Registry of vulnerable populations.
• Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) – Farmer registry for agricultural subsidies.
• Education Sector Registries – Includes the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and university ID systems.

Nigeria’s digital identity journey has evolved from fragmented and short-lived initiatives to a more coordinated, strategic approach. While significant milestones have been achieved, there is still the need for a continuous citizen education and engagement.

Nonetheless, the progress thus far reflects a growing institutional capacity and political will to create a reliable, inclusive, and interoperable identity system. A well-functioning digital ID ecosystem not only enhances governance and security but also opens doors to financial inclusion, healthcare access, and socio-economic empowerment for millions of Nigerians.