NIN Now Mandatory for Accessing Social Services in Nigeria – FG

By Raymond Enoch

The Nigerian government has made the National Identification Number (NIN) a requirement for citizens to access social services, reinforcing its push for a robust national identity system.

Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), announced this at the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project retreat in Lagos. Represented by Professor Babatunde Bolaji, he emphasized that the NIN is crucial for vulnerable populations to receive palliatives and government assistance.

The SGF urged agencies to support the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in achieving this goal and praised NIMC Director-General Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote for her leadership.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Tanko Sununu, reaffirmed his Ministry’s collaboration with NIMC to ensure efficient service delivery.

The retreat gathered key stakeholders to review the ID4D Project’s progress, celebrate achievements, and address implementation challenges.