World Bank Boosts Nigeria’s NIN Enrollment Target to 180 Million Amidst Notable Progress

World Bank Boosts Nigeria’s NIN Enrollment Target to 180 Million Amidst Notable Progress

The World Bank has reviewed the target for Nigeria under the Digital Identity for Development (ID4D) increasing the number of Nigerians to be issued the National Identification Number (NIN) from 148 million to 180 million.

According to the latest document on the project’s restructuring released by the Bank, while Nigeria missed the initial target of 148 million NIN by June 2024, it has made significant progress that warrants the extension of the project and expansion to cover more Nigerians.

As of October this year, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the Commission had issued NIN to 115 million Nigerian and legal residents.

Despite this progress, the World Bank noted that a gap still exists as almost half of Nigerians, mostly women, persons with disabilities, and disadvantaged persons, still do not have digital identification.

It added that this excludes the most vulnerable population from receiving government assistance, financial inclusion, and transacting in the digital economy.

The Bank, however, noted that the ID4D project has already started to close this gap through targeted enrollment for the poor and vulnerable.

“This project aims to support universal NIN coverage by increasing the target for the number of NIN to be issued under the project from 148 million to 180 million. This will have transformational impact by enabling Nigerians to utilize digital identification for prosperity,” the Bank stated.

The Bank, however, noted that the ID4D project has already started to close this gap through targeted enrollment for the poor and vulnerable.

“This project aims to support universal NIN coverage by increasing the target for the number of NIN to be issued under the project from 148 million to 180 million. This will have transformational impact by enabling Nigerians to utilize digital identification for prosperity,” the Bank stated.

The World Bank further disclosed that the Nigerian government on May 31, 2024 requested a three-year extension of the ID4D project.