NITDA Hands Over PKI Infrastructure to NIMC to Strengthen Nigeria’s Digital Identity Ecosystem
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially transferred its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) framework to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in a significant move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and enhancing the security of digital transactions nationwide.
The handover, which includes the transfer of technology, assets and ongoing operations, is expected to provide the secure digital trust infrastructure required to support a modern, integrated and reliable national identity system.
Speaking during the formal handover ceremony at NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the transfer underscores the agency’s commitment to collaborating with institutions using technology to accelerate national development.
Inuwa explained that NITDA had invested significantly in developing the country’s Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), adding that the agency would continue to provide technical support to ensure a seamless transition to NIMC.
He described PKI as a critical technology that enables the creation, management, verification and authentication of digital identities through digital certificates, ensuring secure and encrypted digital communications and transactions.
According to him, the initiative aligns with the newly enacted NIMC Act, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to harmonise identity databases across government institutions and establish the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s primary identity verification and authentication platform.
The NITDA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to driving nationwide technology adoption, noting that its mandate extends beyond regulation to supporting innovation, fostering collaboration and promoting inclusive digital transformation.
“As Nigeria’s apex IT regulator, our responsibility is to ensure that every Nigerian is empowered to adopt and benefit from technology. We will continue to support NIMC and every institution working to digitise public services,” he said.
He also stressed that Digital Public Infrastructure is as important to economic development as physical infrastructure, emphasizing the need to ensure such infrastructure remains secure, reliable and accessible.
Responding, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, commended NITDA for its support and described the newly enacted NIMC Act as a landmark reform that would transform Nigeria’s identity management system.
She explained that the legislation replaces the nearly two-decade-old legal framework established in 2007 and provides the legal foundation for transitioning from a conventional identity database to a modern digital identity ecosystem.
According to her, the new framework is designed to guarantee interoperability, security and efficiency across government and private sector digital platforms while supporting the principle of “one person, one identity.”
Coker-Odusote added that the updated law provides the legal basis for deploying Public Key Infrastructure and other trust frameworks to secure digital identity services and online transactions.
She noted that the transition from traditional identity cards to secure digital credentials would be implemented in phases to safeguard citizens’ data and maintain public confidence in the system.
Both agencies reiterated their commitment to sustained collaboration, noting that while NIMC will continue to manage Nigeria’s foundational identity infrastructure, NITDA will focus on ecosystem development, digital regulation and expanding technology adoption.
They expressed confidence that the partnership would accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and lay the foundation for a secure, inclusive and innovation-driven digital economy.
 has officially transferred its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) framework){kind=link}