Nigeria’s digital identity system strengthening access to Africa’s digital economy

…Says NIMC one of Tinubu administration’s clearest delivery stories …Pledges full government backing for identity reforms George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Wednesday, said Nigeria’s expanding digital identity infrastructure is strengthening the country’s position in Africa’s digital economy and providing a trusted foundation for banking, telecommunications, social protection and cross-border trade. Akume stated this on Wednesday at the National Day of Identity 2026, with the theme, “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem: Powering Africa’s Digital Economy,” saying the progress recorded by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) represents one of the clearest delivery stories of the Tinubu’s administration. According to the SGF, Nigeria’s growing digital public ecosystem has implications beyond the country’s borders, as trusted identity infrastructure could facilitate greater economic integration across Africa. The system has allowed banks, fintech companies and cross-border traders to increasingly rely on verified digital identity to facilitate access to markets, including opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The SGF noted that “As the officer charged with coordinating government business across MDAs, I have watched this work closely. The National Identity Management Commission is one of this administration’s clearest delivery stories,” Akume said. “The progress is real. Enrolment continues to rise. Integration with banking, telecommunications and social protection is deepening. The Commission is meeting the quiet, daily discipline this work requires. That is the kind of delivery this administration was elected to provide,” he added. The SGF said the enactment of the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, had provided a stronger legal foundation for the country’s identity management system, strengthened data protection and established NIMC as Nigeria’s root certification authority for identity. He noted that innovations introduced before the new law, including NINAuth and self-service data modification, had already made it easier for Nigerians to verify their identities and manage their records. Akume recalled his engagement with the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, following the passage of the Act, saying the interaction reinforced his confidence in the direction of the Commission and the seriousness of its leadership and team. “This Commission has my backing, and the backing of the office I represent. Wherever closer coordination is needed, and wherever obstacles must be cleared from this Commission’s path, my office stands ready. This project is too important to rest on one agency. It requires the full weight of government,” the SGF said. He commended President Tinubu for assenting to the NIMC Act, 2026, describing the legislation as the modern legal footing required to sustain the reforms and deepen the country’s digital identity architecture. Akume expressed confidence that the reforms would continue to produce measurable results, saying every improvement in Nigeria’s identity infrastructure strengthens the country’s position and Africa’s participation in the global digital economy. Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date Open In Whatsapp