New statistics reveal a significant rise in the number of Nigerians in the diaspora enrolling for the National Identification Number (NIN), with a 308% increase attributed to the federal government’s intensified efforts to streamline the process and integrate citizens into a central digital database.
According to data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the number of diaspora NIN registrations jumped from 366,164 on February 22, 2023, to 1.49 million by February 28, 2025, marking a 307.88% increase.
The breakdown shows that 563,469 enrollees are female, while 930,044 are male. Nationwide, overall NIN enrolment also grew by 21.24% within the same period, rising from 96.5 million to 117 million.
The World Development Report 2023 on Migrants, Refugees, and Societies estimates that around 1.7 million Nigerians reside abroad.
In response to the need for a seamless identification process, NIMC launched the diaspora NIN registration program in 2019, addressing challenges faced by overseas Nigerians, particularly those needing NIN for passport renewals.
The NIN initiative is designed to digitally link citizens’ demographic details, biometric data—including fingerprints, facial images, and digital signatures—into a centralized identity database, enhancing verification processes.
By 2023, NIN services were available in 77 countries, covering 40 in Africa, nine in Asia/Middle East, 23 in Europe/Oceania, and five in the Americas.
In 2024, the federal government introduced a dedicated mobile app and a diaspora focal point desk to resolve enrolment issues within 24 hours.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, emphasized that the new system would enable easier linkage of NINs with international passports for Nigerians abroad.
Additionally, a contactless enrolment system is being rolled out to enhance the registration experience for the diaspora.
To support the project, Nigeria has secured $228.59 million from a $430 million facility provided by the World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank, ensuring continued improvements in the national identity system.
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