President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered Nigeria through a trusted national identity system, stressing that Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is the backbone of the country’s digital transformation.
Speaking at the 2025 National Day of Identity celebration organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu said identity is no longer just a record of citizenship but the “foundation of opportunity and anchor of national security.”
“The National Day of Identity is a reminder that in the 21st century, identity is more than just a record. It is the foundation of citizenship, the gateway to opportunity, and the anchor for national security,” Tinubu declared. This year’s theme, “Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure,” he said, reflects Nigeria’s bold step into a trusted digital future where citizens can engage seamlessly with government and private institutions.
Tinubu explained that PKI is central to building trust in Nigeria’s digital interactions, safeguarding financial transactions, healthcare systems, education, agriculture, security, and governance. “Without PKI, digital interactions remain vulnerable. Without PKI, citizens cannot fully trust that their data and transactions are secure. But with PKI, Nigeria can build an ecosystem where trust is guaranteed, fraud is reduced, services are streamlined, and every citizen can engage with government and private institutions with confidence,” the president said.
He hailed the NIMC, led by Director-General Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, for its innovations in digital identity, including the self-service modification portal and NINAUTH platform, which simplify access for citizens while strengthening national security. “In a relatively short time, the Commission has recorded significant strides that position Nigeria as a continental leader in digital identity,” he noted.
The president reaffirmed his administration’s investment in strengthening Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure, citing efforts to expand internet connectivity, enhance cybersecurity, and align frameworks with global best practices. “We recognize that a trusted identity system is indispensable to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing financial inclusion, delivering social welfare programs, and enabling citizens to fully participate in the Nigeria digital economy,” Tinubu said. He stressed that the government’s ultimate goal is to ensure that every Nigerian—whether in urban areas or remote communities—has access to a trusted digital identity that “opens the doors to opportunity.”
Tinubu urged Nigerians to take ownership of the identity ecosystem by registering, updating, and using the platforms available, while calling on public and private institutions to integrate identity verification into their service delivery. “The journey to a fully digital Nigeria is a collective one. It requires government leadership, institutional capacity, private sector innovation, and citizen participation,” he said.
Concluding his address, the president praised NIMC staff and stakeholders for their “tireless work” and called on Nigerians to recommit themselves to building a future where “every citizen is known, every transaction is trusted, and every opportunity is within reach.”
