Emmanuel Oghenero
Fresh statistics have shown that the number of Nigerians in the diaspora enrolling for the National Identification Number (NIN) has increased by 308%, reflecting the federal government’s intensified efforts to digitally capture every citizen into a central database.
According to data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), between February 22, 2023, and February 28, 2025, diaspora NIN enrolments surged from 366,164 to 1.49 million, marking a remarkable 307.88% rise.
The data adds further that of the total enrollees, 563,469 are female, and 930,044 are male. The overall NIN enrolment in the country also grew by 21.24%, rising from 96.5 million to 117 million during the same period.
The World Development Report 2023 on Migrants, Refugees, and Societies notes that approximately 1.7 million Nigerians currently reside abroad.
It would be recalled that the NIMC launched the diaspora NIN registration program in 2019 to include Nigerians living overseas in the national identity database. Previously, Nigerians abroad faced difficulties renewing their passports without NINs, and the enrolment process was not free.
The NIN initiative aims to digitally link citizens’ demographic details, biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial images), and digital signatures in a centralized identity database for efficient identity verification.
As of 2023, the NIN service was available in 77 countries, including 40 in Africa, nine in Asia/Middle East, 23 in Europe/Oceania, and five in the Americas, as the Nigerian government continues to streamline the process for its diaspora citizens.
In 2024, the federal government introduced a dedicated app and a diaspora focal point desk to resolve issues within 24 hours. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, highlighted that the new system would facilitate the linking of NINs with international passports for Nigerians living abroad.
Additionally, the commission is rolling out a contactless enrolment system for the diaspora, ensuring a smoother experience.
So far, Nigeria has secured $228.59 million for the NIN project from a $430 million facility provided by the World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank.
