Kashim Shettima Praises Nigeria's Digital Identity Transformation

Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Nigeria's digital identity transformation under President Bola Tinubu, describing the progress as unrivaled. During a meeting with a National Identity Management Commission delegation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Shettima highlighted how the NIMC Act 2026 enables the establishment of a sovereign Digital Public Infrastructure and shifts government operations from paper-based administration to secure digital governance.

The 2026 Act replaces the previous 2007 framework to increase national control over digital trust infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign systems. Director-General Abisoye Odusote stated that the National Identification Number is now the single source of truth for Nigerian identity.

This digital shift has already integrated into other government functions, with the Nigerian Immigration Service now utilizing the identification number for the issuance and renewal of passports.