The Federal Government has linked the National Identification Numbers (NINs) of more than 15.6 million Nigerians to the National Social Register, as part of efforts to improve the identification of vulnerable households and delivery of social assistance.
The National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) disclosed that 15,653,374 individuals had their NINs integrated into the register as of October 2026. It also reported that more than 13.3 million household records had been updated across 771 local government areas in 37 states.
“As of October 2026, we have successfully integrated the National Identification Number of over 15.6 million individuals into the National Social Register, with more than 13.3 million unique households updated across 771 Local Government Areas in 37 states,” the office stated.
NASSCO said the exercise was intended to improve data quality, strengthen beneficiary identification and make the social protection system more transparent and inclusive. The register contained 21.1 million households and more than 83.1 million individuals as of October. However, the 13.3 million updated household records represented 63.13 per cent of the total, leaving about 7.78 million households yet to be covered by the update.
The figures also showed that 11.3 million households had at least one member whose valid NIN was linked to the register. This represents about 53.74 per cent of all listed households. Coverage varied considerably across states. Ebonyi recorded the highest household update rate at 88.08 per cent, followed by Enugu at 86.62 per cent and Kano at 86.18 per cent. Kogi and Ekiti recorded 80.61 per cent and 80.25 per cent, respectively.
Delta had the lowest coverage at 25.31 per cent, followed by Lagos at 35.36 per cent and Borno at 38.18 per cent. The differences highlight the uneven progress of the exercise across the country. The updated register is important to the government’s social intervention efforts, including cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households. However, updating a household record does not necessarily mean that every member has a verified NIN or that the household has received financial assistance.
According to the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update, the Federal Government had disbursed ₦658.9 billion in direct cash transfers to 10.46 million vulnerable households as of September 2026. The World Bank has called for broader programme coverage, more adequate payments and more consistent delivery of assistance.
Although linking NINs to the social register could strengthen beneficiary verification, the number of household records yet to be updated shows that gaps remain. The effectiveness of the system will depend on accurate data, wider coverage and the ability to ensure that eligible households receive the support intended for them.
