The National Identity Management Commission has successfully enrolled 59,786 inmates across correctional centres in Nigeria and issued them National Identification Numbers, the commission disclosed on Monday.

This milestone was achieved in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service as part of ongoing efforts to ensure inclusivity and extend identity management services to all Nigerians, including those in custodial facilities.

The initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks comprehensive enrolment of Nigerians and legal residents nationwide.

According to the Director-General and CEO of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, approximately 74 per cent of inmates have now been enrolled and issued with NINs, with plans underway to complete registration for the remaining population.

“The commission remains committed to collaborating with strategic partners to ensure that every Nigerian and legal resident is captured in the National Identity System, regardless of their circumstances,” Coker-Odusote said in a statement.

In addition to inmate enrolment, NIMC has announced plans to commence ward-level enrolment across the country, an integral component of the Renewed Hope Agenda. This expansion aims to bring identity services closer to communities and strengthen the national database.

NIMC expressed gratitude to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Comptroller-General of NCoS, Nwakuche Ndidi, and all correctional service personnel for their support in facilitating the enrolment process.

As of May 2025, NIMC has made significant strides, enrolling over 120 million Nigerians into its NIN database, with an ambitious target to cover approximately 95 per cent of the population by the end of the year.

This accelerated progress is supported by expanded infrastructure, including upgraded biometric equipment and the deployment of more than 1,000 registration devices across all 774 local government areas.

NIMC has also introduced reforms that have reduced corruption in the enrolment process by around 40 per cent, notably through the engagement of private sector agents known as Frontier Partners, who assist in reaching underserved and hard-to-access areas.