National Identity Number (NIN) registrations witnessed a decline of 16.85% in 2022, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figures released by the NBS indicated that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) registered and issued 22.49 million NINs in 2022. This reflects a notable decrease compared to the 27.05 million NINs registered and issued during the preceding year, 2021. The NBS shared these findings in its recently published National Identity Registration Statistics 2022 report.
According to the report, Kano State emerged as the leader in the number of registrations and NIN issuances, registering 2.44 million individuals, followed closely by Lagos with 2.09 million. The NBS sourced its data from the NIMC, drawing information about registered individuals and National Identity Numbers issued throughout 2022.
The report also highlighted the top and bottom five states in terms of registration and NIN issuance. Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, and Ogun occupied the top spots, while Bayelsa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Cross-River, and Kogi were among the states with the lowest registration and issuance numbers.
Furthermore, the diaspora contributed significantly to NIN registrations, totaling 255,726 individuals. Among these, 140,496 were male and 115,230 were female. In terms of regional distribution, the North-West Zone led the way with the highest number of registrations and NINs issued, reaching 7,207,695. In contrast, the South-East recorded the lowest figures, totaling 1,793,373.
The decline in NIN registrations during 2022 signals a shifting trend in the adoption of this identification system. As the NIMC and concerned authorities continue to assess and address the factors influencing these numbers, there remains an ongoing effort to promote the importance of NIN registration for various services and security measures. The statistics shed light on the evolving landscape of identity management and the need for continued outreach and education to encourage a more comprehensive adoption of the NIN system.
