As of September 2023, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has released the latest figures on National Identification Number (NIN) enrolments, revealing a significant discrepancy when compared to Nigeria’s official population estimates. This conundrum has sparked discussions on the accuracy of population data in the country.
Lagos State leads with 9,297,914 NIN enrolments, reflecting its status as the most populous state.
Following Lagos, Kano State has recorded 6,695,975 enrolments, while Kaduna State stands at 4,747,643. These numbers highlight the significant populations in these northern states.
In the southern regions, Ogun and Oyo States have also shown substantial enrolment figures, with 3,358,644 and 3,310,145 respectively. These states have implemented robust strategies to encourage residents to register.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has 2,979,306 enrolments, reflecting its diverse and growing population. Other notable states include Katsina with 2,513,287, Rivers with 2,465,278, Delta with 2,200,349, and Niger with 2,091,848 enrolments.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s estimated population in 2022 was approximately 216.8 million. However, NIMC’s data shows that only about 60.14 million Nigerians have been issued NINs as of August 2023. This figure represents roughly 30% of the estimated population, raising questions about the remaining 70% of the population who are yet to be enrolled.
To address these gaps, the NIMC has introduced several initiatives to streamline the enrolment process. One significant development is the launch of an online pre-enrolment platform, allowing applicants to fill out their enrolment forms online before visiting an enrolment center for biometric data capture. “This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Eight Point Agenda, aiming to improve data accuracy and ease of access,” stated the Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
Additionally, the NIMC has rolled out a self-service modifications portal. This portal enables individuals to update their NIN details, such as name, phone number, date of birth, and address, through a user-friendly online system. “We are working tirelessly to make the NIN enrolment process accessible to all Nigerians,” an NIMC official remarked.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, the NIMC plans to launch a NIN registration app by February 2024. This app will allow Nigerians living abroad to seamlessly enrol for their NIN through a self-service application.
