Nigeria implements Digital Free Zones and expands NIN coverage

President Bola Tinubu has launched several initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and national identity infrastructure. He has directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to achieve 95 per cent National Identity Number (NIN) coverage by December 2026. This digital identity framework is intended to support sectors such as banking, healthcare, and social protection.

Additionally, the President has moved the Digital Free Zones initiative into its implementation phase. The program aims to allow Nigerian technology and service companies to access global capital and international markets without relocating their intellectual property or operations abroad. To facilitate this, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has been directed to develop a roadmap for the full launch of the initiative within 180 days in collaboration with the Itana Innovation project.

Government officials, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, have emphasized that these reforms are central to the administration’s goals of driving economic growth and ensuring that Nigerian talent can compete globally while remaining within the country.