An analysis of the state-by-state enrollment figures reveals a consistent pattern, with Lagos maintaining its position as the state with the highest number of registered individuals at 12.7 million. Kano follows as the second-highest with 10.4 million enrollees, while Kaduna state accounts for 6.9 million registered Nigerians. Other states contributing significantly to the national database include Ogun with 4.9 million, Oyo with 4.5 million, and Katsina with 4 million enrollees. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded 3.8 million registrations, followed by Rivers with 3.5 million, Delta with 3.2 million, and Jigawa with 3.1 million.
Conversely, several states continue to lag in enrollment numbers. Bayelsa state currently has the lowest number of registered individuals at 767,620. Ebonyi follows with 999,991 enrollees, and Ekiti has recorded 1.1 million registrations. Other states with comparatively lower enrollment figures include Cross River (1.4 million), Taraba (1.7 million), and Yobe (1.8 million).
A gender-based analysis of the enrollment data indicates a notable disparity, with 66.9 million registered males accounting for 56.5 percent of the total, compared to 51.5 million registered females, representing 43.5 percent. This gap highlights the need for targeted efforts to ensure equitable enrollment across both genders.
Despite the steady progress in increasing NIN registrations, Nigeria is still working towards achieving its ambitious targets. The country was unable to meet the initial June 30, 2024, deadline set by the World Bank to register at least 148 million individuals. This shortfall led to a two-year extension of the World Bank-backed Digital Identity for National Development (ID4D) project, which is now slated to conclude on June 30, 2026.
In acknowledging the extension, the World Bank emphasized its importance in addressing existing gaps and ensuring comprehensive coverage. “The extension provides an opportunity to address existing gaps and to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind,” the World Bank stated, underscoring the critical role of digital identity in national development. “A trusted and inclusive ID system is foundational for effective governance, service delivery, and social protection.”
The ID4D project, with a total funding commitment of $430 million, is a collaborative effort co-financed by the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB). This substantial funding aims to support the establishment of a robust and secure digital identity infrastructure for Nigeria's estimated 220 million citizens.
The NIN has increasingly become a fundamental requirement for accessing a growing range of government services, including voter registration, passport applications, SIM card registration, and various financial services. This increasing utility underscores the critical importance of widespread enrollment as a key enabler of digital inclusion and streamlined access to essential services for all Nigerians.