The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it has enrolled more than 206,000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as 32,000 inmates, into Nigeria’s national identity database as part of efforts to expand inclusive digital identity coverage.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this during a presentation at ID4Africa 2026, noting that the commission is targeting 180 million enrolments by December 2026.
She explained that Nigeria’s identity system, which began in 1977, was strengthened by the establishment of NIMC under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which created a centralised national identity framework.
According to her, the system has now evolved from fragmented databases into a unified digital identity ecosystem designed to support governance, financial inclusion, national security, and efficient service delivery.
Coker-Odusote said the inclusion of refugees, IDPs, and inmates ensures that vulnerable populations are not excluded from national identity coverage, adding that over 206,000 displaced persons and 32,000 inmates have already been captured.
She also highlighted major reforms including the National Identity Number (NIN) mobile app, the Person Identification Verification Service (PIVS), and the NIN-SIM linkage policy, which she said significantly boosted enrolment across the country.
According to her, Nigeria has recorded about 127 million unique identity records as of December 2025, while the commission processes millions of verification requests daily.
She added that NIMC has deployed over 800 mobile enrolment devices nationwide to expand access, especially in rural and underserved communities, while also clearing millions of manual records to improve database integrity.
The DG further noted that integration of the NIN with key national institutions has strengthened digital authentication systems across sectors.
The commission says the ongoing reforms are part of a broader strategy to build a secure, interoperable, and inclusive digital identity system for Nigeria.