NIN enrollment surges by 1.19% to 118.4 million in March 2025

Data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed that Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment as of March 2025 stands at 118.4 million, representing a 1.19 per cent increase from 117.3 million recorded in February 2025. While the figure shows a decrease compared to February, the agency has continued to record rising figures in recent months.

A close look at the latest data made available by the NIMC shows that the Male gender continues to dominate with 56.5 per cent (66.9 million) of total enrollments, while women hold 43.5 per cent (51.5 million) of the total NIN enrollment as of March 31, 2025.

In the state category, Lagos maintained its lead with a total of 12.7 million enrollments in March, representing a 0.79 per cent rise from 12.6 million the previous month. Also, the top 5 states with the highest NIN enrollments showed no change, with Kano second (10.4 million), followed distantly by Kaduna (6.9 million), Ogun (4.9 million), and Oyo (4.5 million). 

However, Bauchi state slipped from the top 10 states for the first time this year after recording a 0.65 per cent increase to 3.09 million NIN enrollment in March. Jigawa state became the new face with 3.1 million NIN enrollments in March, up from 3.05 million in February 2025.

The far end of the ladder shows no change in NIN enrollment figures compared to the previous month as Taraba (1.79 million), Cross River (1.4 million), Ekiti (1.14 million), Ebonyi (999.9 thousand), and Bayelsa (767.6 thousand) recorded the least. 

Also Read: NIN enrolment hit 117.3 million in February as Nigeria pushes for robust digital ID system.

Nigeria’s digital identity initiative falls under the World Bank’s Digital Identity for National Development (ID4D) program. The program was formulated to increase the number of legitimate NIN holders among the citizens. The initial funding phase of the project began in 2020. 

While the mandatory NIN enrollment has been launched since September 2015, the agency fell short of the 180 million enrollment target of June 2024 set by the World Bank. Having experienced various difficulties, such as sparse registration infrastructure and low public awareness, the deadline was extended to December 2026.

With 22 months to the new deadline, NIMC authorities have time to overcome these issues, increase outreach, and introduce improved technological infrastructure facilitating high-speed and secure registration to secure the 61.6 million enrollment and more.

The NIN initiative is structured to scale up operations, invest in more sophisticated data collection methods, and ensure that all citizens are enrolled in the nation’s digital ID system. This will free up simpler government-to-person (G2P) disbursements, enhance effective fraud prevention, and improve public service delivery.

Illegal printing of NIN cards

The NIMC recently warned the public against the indiscriminate printing of unauthorized NIN cards and charging unsuspecting members of the public exorbitant fees. It said that NIMC has not authorized anyone or organization to print cards in place of the NIMC General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC). 

It warned individuals, cyber cafes, and entities that security agencies have been notified of the activity and are mandated to apprehend those involved and face the full wrath of the law. The agency added that the NIN slip is the only legal document authorized as a means of identification, and it must be verified upon presentation to access services. 

The Commission said it has finalized plans to launch an improved GMPC, which is multifunctional and serves as a physical means of identification and payment. 

According to the commission, the new card programme is centred on solving several use cases of federal government and private sector interventions as well as focused on solving social and economic problems in the nation, with payment capabilities and identity as a root.

Speaking about the new card recently, the commission’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote mentioned that:

“The key features of this card, are the biometric, based on the fingerprint, which is the only one that is currently unique; the card has a long validity period because it’s also fully KYC enabled; it has an offline and online capability, which means in locations where there are limited access to internet, this card will still work and be used for those services that it’s designed to achieve.”