FG Pushes Unified Digital Identity System Across MDAs

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

The Federal Government says it is strengthening efforts to build a unified and interoperable digital identity system across Ministries, Departments and Agencies as part of reforms aimed at improving governance, enhancing service delivery and tightening national security.

The Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the commission is driving the Digital Public Infrastructure agenda through the development of a harmonised identity ecosystem designed to connect services across government institutions and improve operational efficiency.

She spoke at a digital conference in Abuja themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together.”

She was represented at the event by the Head of Infrastructure Technology and Identity Databases, Mr. Sulaiman Falade.

Odusote explained that the unified framework is aimed at integrating identity systems across government agencies to ensure consistency, transparency and seamless access to services.

She said the National Identification Number (NIN) remains a key enabler within the structure, supporting identity verification, authentication and access to both public and private sector services.

“In line with the Presidential Directive issued on April 5, 2024, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAS) have been mandated to ensure the effective use of the NIN in driving policies related to data capture, identity verification, and biometric authentication across all digital services.

“NIMC has put in place structures to ensure effective implementation,” she said in a statement issued on Saturday, by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke obtained by Persecondnews.

The NIMC boss added that the integration of the National Public Key Infrastructure (nPKI) will strengthen trust in digital transactions, safeguard citizens’ data and enhance online security

She urged stakeholders across government and the private sector to support ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to build a secure, connected and efficient national system.

Persecondnews recalls that between 2018–2019, NIMC officially shifted from a fragmented, siloed enrollment approach to the “Digital Identity Ecosystem” model.

Instead of NIMC trying to capture all data alone, this policy allowed partnership with other government agencies and private sector partners to collect data under a unified platform anchored by the National Identification Number (NIN).

In April 2024, President Bola Tinubu had issued a directive mandating all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to integrate and enforce the use of the NIN for data capture, identity verification, and biometric authentication across all digital services.

This effectively formalized the current DPI agenda to connect services across government institutions.