By Nkechi Eze
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has said Nigeria’s expanding digital identity infrastructure is strengthening the country’s position in Africa’s digital economy while improving access to banking, telecommunications, social protection and cross-border trade.
Akume stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Day of Identity 2026, themed, “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem: Powering Africa’s Digital Economy.”
According to a statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Media and Publicity, the SGF described the progress recorded by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as one of the clearest delivery stories of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Akume said trusted digital identity infrastructure had implications beyond Nigeria, particularly in facilitating economic integration across Africa as banks, fintech companies and cross-border traders increasingly depend on verified identities to access markets and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The National Identity Management Commission is one of this administration’s clearest delivery stories,” Akume said, noting that enrolment was rising while integration with banking, telecommunications and social protection was deepening.
He said the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, had provided a stronger legal foundation for identity management, strengthened data protection and established NIMC as Nigeria’s root certification authority for identity.
The SGF also highlighted innovations including NINAuth and self-service data modification, saying they had made it easier for Nigerians to verify their identities and manage their records.
Akume pledged the full backing of his office for NIMC’s reforms, stressing that the digital identity project required coordinated support across government.
“This project is too important to rest on one agency. It requires the full weight of government,” he said.
He commended President Tinubu for assenting to the NIMC Act, 2026, describing the legislation as the modern legal footing required to sustain ongoing reforms and deepen Nigeria’s digital identity architecture.
Akume expressed confidence that continued improvements in the country’s identity infrastructure would strengthen Nigeria’s participation in Africa’s digital economy and expand its capacity to connect citizens and businesses to opportunities across the continent.
