Vice President Kashim Shettima has described Nigeria’s ongoing digital identity transformation as a landmark development, saying the reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration represent a major shift in the country’s governance system.
Shettima stated this on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, when he received a delegation from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) led by its Director General, Abisoye Odusote.
The Vice President said the recent reforms, particularly the enactment of the NIMC Act 2026, would pave the way for the creation of a sovereign Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that would strengthen Nigeria’s digital trust framework.
According to him, the development will accelerate the transition from traditional paper-based government processes to secure digital administration supported by modern technology and reliable identity systems.
Shettima praised the leadership of Odusote, describing NIMC’s transformation from a database management agency into Nigeria’s foundational digital authority as a significant achievement recorded within a short period.
He urged the commission’s management and staff to continue supporting the ongoing reforms while embracing technology-driven solutions that align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Vice President noted that the Federal Government was implementing bold policies across key sectors, including education, healthcare, financial inclusion and digital governance, with the aim of improving the lives of Nigerians.
Earlier, NIMC Director General Abisoye Odusote congratulated President Tinubu for signing the NIMC Bill into law, describing the legislation as a turning point in the country’s identity management system.
She explained that the new law would enable government databases to communicate effectively, allowing citizens to access public services more conveniently and efficiently.
Odusote highlighted that the National Identification Number (NIN) has become Nigeria’s central identity reference system, with institutions increasingly adopting it for verification and service delivery.
She disclosed that the Nigerian Immigration Service now relies on the NIN for passport issuance and renewal, while several financial institutions, insurance companies and public agencies have connected to the national digital infrastructure.
The NIMC Act 2026 replaced the limitations of the previous 2007 legal framework and provides a modern foundation for a secure digital identity ecosystem.
The new structure is designed to give Nigeria greater control over its digital identity infrastructure, strengthen national security, improve service delivery and reduce reliance on foreign digital systems
