Nigeria seeks extension for $430m digital ID project

The Nigerian government has requested a 12-month extension for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project. The proposal seeks to move the project closing date from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

According to a World Bank restructuring paper, approximately $196 million, or 45.6 percent of the total $430 million financing, remains undisbursed. Total disbursements to date stand at roughly $234 million. The funding for the initiative is provided by the World Bank’s International Development Association, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank.

The extension comes as National Identification Number (NIN) issuance trails targets. As of September 30, 2026, approximately 121 million people had received NINs, leaving a shortfall of 59 million against the 180 million target. This request marks the third closing date extension for the project since its initial approval in February 2020.