The number of National Identification Numbers (NINs) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reached 101 million.
According to the latest data from the NIMC, the issued NINs are now 101,013,279. The data show that in the last six months, the commission added 5,935,362 NINs to the database. The figure stood at 95,077,917 as at January 2023.
NIMC informed that of the 101 million issued NIN, males have 57.3 million, which is equivalent to 56.76 per cent, while women have been issued 43.57 million or 43.2 per cent.
Further analysis of the June data shows that the highest cumulative enrollment figure of over 11 million was recorded in Lagos State where 4.99 million females have been issued with NIN and six million men.
Kano is next with 8.9 million NINs (3.8 women and 5.1 men); Kaduna has 6.2 million (2.8 million women and 3.46 men) while Ogun has 4.2 million (two million women and 2.2 million men).
Oyo has 3.91 million NINs. Others are Katsina (3.46 million) and Abuja (3.4 million). Among the top recipient states are Rivers with three million; Bauchi, 2.7 million and Delta (2.67 million).
According to NIMC, the last 10 states are Akwa Ibom with 1.71 million, Imo (1.7 million), Kogi (1.69 million), Enugu (1.62 million) and Yobe (1.57 million). Others are Taraba (1.45 million), Cross River (1.15 million), Ekiti (one million), Ebonyi (804,592) and Bayelsa state (635,277).
NIMC, which said regional figures indicated an almost equal distribution across the North and South, informed that in terms of diaspora registration, it has issued 447,414 identification numbers, where 186,034 women have NINs and 261, 280 NINs going to men.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NIMC, Aliyu Aziz Abubakar, said to advance digital infrastructure and promote financial inclusion, a robust and secure e-identity system is important.
He spoke recently at an event, tagged: ‘CIO Club Africa Summit: Digital Economy and Nexus between e-Identity, Connectivity and Financial Inclusion’, in Lagos.
The DG, who was represented by Assistant General Manager, Database, NIMC, Femi Fabunmi, said the commission was working to provide the nation with a unique and secure national identity system.
He said: “As we continue to move forward it is very clear that the nexus between E-identity, or digital identity, connectivity and financial inclusion will be crucial to driving sustainable development in the digital age.
“Part of this nexus is the need for a reliable and secure e-identity system that will serve as the foundation for digital transactions and financial services. Nigeria’s efforts in this area are commendable with the National Identity Management Commission working to provide every Nigerian with a unique national identification number and a digital identity card. This will enable citizens to access a range of services including financial services securely and conveniently.”
According to him, the importance of connectivity in this digital age cannot be overemphasized.
He added, “The digital economy relies on high-speed internet assets and reliable connectivity to function effectively.
“Nigeria has made significant progress in expanding broadband assets with initiatives such as the National Broadband Plan and the licensing of new broadband providers. However, more need to be done to ensure that all Nigerians have access to affordable and reliable connectivity particularly those in rural areas.”