The National Identity Management Commission, on Thursday, announced that September 16, has been approved as the National Identity Day by the Federal Government.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
In a statement by signed by Abdulhamid Umar, NIMC’s General Manager, Operations/Corporate Communications, the Commission revealed the Day, was to create awareness on the importance of identification as a modern tool for national development and social cohesion.
Part of the statement read, “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha conveyed the government’s approval in a letter dated August 29, 2019 and addressed to the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz.
“In the letter signed on the SGF’s behalf by David K. Gende, the Director, Planning, Research & Statistics in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Mustapha conveyed government’s approval to the NIMC chief executive officer that Nigeria ‘should join the Coalition for International Identity Day,’ in response to the latter’s earlier request.
“By that approval, therefore, Nigeria becomes the first country in the world to formally adopt September 16, otherwise called 16.9, as Identity Day (ID-Day).”
The maiden celebration of the National ID Day would take place in Abuja.
Engr. Aziz explained that the choice of the date, September 16, was in recognition of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9 which calls for a legal identity for all including birth registration by 2030.
“Many important issues on the international development and human rights agenda have an observance day. For example, 10 December is Human Rights Day, while 20th of June is Refugee Day. Now is the time for identity to have a day of observance,” he stated.
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