NITDA Transfers Digital Security Framework to NIMC to Strengthen National Identity System

"The transfer is aimed at providing the technological foundation for a secure, integrated and trusted national digital identity system anchored on the National Identification Number (NIN)." Inuwa

.... Describes the handover as a major milestone in Nigeria's digital transformation agenda. 

.... Says "the agency would continue to work closely with NIMC to ensure a seamless transition of the infrastructure."

.... "The Public Key Infrastructure enables the creation, verification and authentication of digital identities through encrypted digital certificates, making online transactions and public service delivery more secure."

.... "The initiative aligns with the newly amended NIMC Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to harmonise identity databases across government agencies and establish the NIN as the country's primary identity verification platform."

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has handed over its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) framework to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), a move expected to strengthen Nigeria's digital identity ecosystem and enhance the security of online government services.

The transfer, announced during a handover ceremony at NITDA headquarters in Abuja, is aimed at providing the technological foundation for a secure, integrated and trusted national digital identity system anchored on the National Identification Number (NIN).

NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the handover as a major milestone in Nigeria's digital transformation agenda, saying the agency would continue to work closely with NIMC to ensure a seamless transition of the infrastructure.

He explained that the Public Key Infrastructure enables the creation, verification and authentication of digital identities through encrypted digital certificates, making online transactions and public service delivery more secure.

Inuwa said the initiative aligns with the newly amended NIMC Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to harmonise identity databases across government agencies and establish the NIN as the country's primary identity verification platform.

According to him, NITDA remains committed to supporting government institutions in adopting digital technologies, stressing that Digital Public Infrastructure is as critical to national development as physical infrastructure.

NIMC Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the new NIMC Act replaces the nearly two-decade-old legal framework and marks Nigeria's transition from a traditional identity database to a modern digital identity ecosystem.

She noted that the new framework is built on the principle of "one person, one identity," enabling secure, interoperable and efficient identity verification across both public and private sector platforms.

Coker-Odusote added that NIMC would implement the transition in phases to ensure the protection of citizens' data while maintaining public confidence in the digital identity system.

Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working together to build a secure, inclusive and innovation-driven digital economy, with NIMC managing the national identity backbone and NITDA driving technology regulation, ecosystem development and digital adoption nationwide.