Tinubu: NIN-SIM linkage curbing fraud, boosting security

Tinubu: NIN-SIM linkage curbing fraud, boosting security

 

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the compulsory linkage of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against fraud and insecurity.

 

Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 7th National Day of Identity in Abuja yesterday, Tinubu said the initiative has drastically curtailed cybercrime and strengthened the nation’s security architecture.

 

“The NIN-SIM linkage has significantly reduced fraud and enhanced national security. It is not just a compliance measure but a vital tool for securing our nation, strengthening our economy, and ensuring every Nigerian can participate fully in the digital era,” Tinubu said.

 

This year’s celebration, themed “Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure”, underscored the role of secure identity in driving trust, governance, and inclusion in Nigeria’s digital economy.

 

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices in digital identity, noting that Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) would boost investor confidence and accelerate the nation’s participation in the global economy.

 

NIMC Director-General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, announced that over 126 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Identity Database. She explained that the Commission has expanded partnerships across health, education, correctional services, and diaspora centres to widen access and integration.

 

She noted that PKI has enhanced security, privacy, and accessibility of citizens’ data, while enrolment waiting times have been reduced by nearly 50 percent. Registration has also been extended to inmates, displaced persons, and Nigerians abroad.

 

“The NIN is not just a number. It is a gateway to opportunity, security, and dignity for every Nigerian,” she said, citing students’ access to NELFUND loans and farmers benefiting from subsidised inputs through verified digital identity.

 

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stressed that identity infrastructure is now a matter of national security and economic sovereignty. He disclosed that the government is investing in advanced facilities such as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) to support biometric production, border management, and passport services.

 

“Identity infrastructure is strategic national infrastructure. With PKI, we can guarantee digital trust, reduce risks, and attract investment. The NIN must be treated as the single source of truth for identity in Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo said.

 

Despite progress, officials acknowledged persisting challenges. Only 60 percent of Nigerian children under five are registered at birth, while gender gaps remain in enrolment. NIMC pledged to intensify outreach, targeting 95 percent inclusion within a year.