President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the strengthening of Nigeria’s national identity system is improving the country’s ability to combat identity fraud, financial crimes, terrorism and other security threats.
Tinubu made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the eighth National Day of Identity celebration.
The event was themed “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem: Powering Africa’s Digital Economy.”
The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said a secure and trusted identity system was essential to national security, effective governance, financial inclusion and the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Identity as a security tool
The administration has increasingly positioned digital identity infrastructure as part of its wider security and governance strategy.
Earlier this year, Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 into law, providing a new legal framework for identity management and strengthening NIMC’s role in Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure.
The Federal Government has also said the integrated identity system has supported security operations.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, previously disclosed that identity databases had been used in the identification and arrest of suspected terrorists returning to Nigeria from pilgrimage.
Digital economy implications
Beyond security, the government says a reliable identity system can improve access to financial services, public programmes and government services by enabling institutions to verify individuals more efficiently.
The National Identity Day programme is part of efforts to increase public awareness of the importance of registration and participation in the national identity ecosystem.
NIMC has also been expanding enrolment efforts, including campaigns targeting underserved communities and other groups that remain underrepresented in the national database.
Tinubu’s latest remarks place identity management at the intersection of national security, digital transformation and public-service delivery.