Credible national identity system key to development, says President Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to delivering a credible, secure, and verifiable national identity management system as a foundation for Nigeria’s developmental goals.

‎Tinubu stated this on Thursday at the State House during the launch of the NINAuth App, a mobile-based identity authentication application developed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

‎He said the innovation reflects his administration’s resolve to leverage technology to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in governance.

‎“Today’s official launch of the NINAuth App heralds a remarkable day in our nation’s digital public infrastructure journey as Africa’s largest identity database.

‎“A credible and inclusive National Identity Management System is fundamental to our national development goals.

“It supports financial inclusion, strengthens social welfare delivery, enhances our security architecture, and ensures accurate population data for evidence-based planning,” he said.

‎Tinubu said the new app would enable all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to verify staff data, thereby reducing bureaucracy and corruption in public administration.

‎He noted that the system would also power social programmes, improve electoral integrity, enhance healthcare access, and ensure equitable distribution of national resources.

‎“We are simplifying access, reducing bureaucratic interference, and closing the gaps within which inefficiency and corruption thrive,” Tinubu added.

‎The President urged Nigerians to embrace the new technology, commending NIMC for transforming identity management into a dynamic, technology-driven process aligned with global best practices.

‎“The future we seek is one where technology empowers every citizen and trust in governance is built on efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness,” he said.

‎Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, said the innovation demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to problem-solving through technology.

‎“Every nation that desires to be efficient must first build systems that can identify, authenticate, and secure its citizens,” the minister said.

‎Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC Director-General, said the app would eliminate multiple data ownership and enable real-time verification for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.

‎She disclosed that NIMC had enrolled over 126.7 million Nigerians, with about 25 million recorded in the last two years, averaging 1.3 million verification hits daily.