Nigeria Sees 308% Surge in Diaspora NIN Enrolment as FG Simplifies Registration

The number of Nigerians in the diaspora registering for the National Identification Number (NIN) has surged by 308%, following government efforts to streamline the process.

According to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), enrolment numbers jumped from 366,164 in February 2023 to 1.49 million by February 2025.

This increase is part of a broader push to integrate Nigerians worldwide into the country’s national identity database. Without a NIN, Nigerians abroad face challenges such as passport renewal restrictions.

The federal government has responded by introducing a mobile app, a dedicated diaspora support desk, and rolling out contactless enrolment software to simplify registration.

With NIN services now available in 77 countries, the initiative is expected to enhance digital identity verification and financial inclusion for Nigerians globally.

Backed by funding from the World Bank and other international partners, Nigeria is leveraging digital identification to drive economic growth and security