Paradox of intention and outcome in digital identity management: a user-centric analysis of Nigeria's national identification number system

Digital identity management has increasingly become an important element in our globally connected world, where individuals and organisations depend on digital platforms to manage various aspects of their everyday life. Its significance has increased within the global digital infrastructure, serving as an essential element of contemporary governance that ensures secure access to government services, helps strengthen security, and mitigates the risks of identity fraud. This research conducts a user-centric evaluation of Nigeria's National Identification Number (NIN) system to investigate the complex relationship between the developmental objectives of digital identity systems and actual outcomes as perceived by its users.

The NIN is an eleven-digit number that captures all essential information about an individual, managed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) under the sponsorship of the federal government of Nigeria. The system is charged with the task of registering all citizens and lawful residents of Nigeria into a reliable and verifiable national identity database. The government has developed and implemented the NIN to enhance service delivery, societal benefits, and national security.

This study seeks to clarify the impact of the NIN on a variety of stakeholders which includes regular users, private entities, and governmental institutions. By exploring the different perspectives of these stakeholders, the research aims to unravel the complexities inherent in digital identity management, highlighting both the intended and actual outcomes experienced by those using the NIN. The study improves the theoretical discussions around this by integrating Power Parity theory, Social Shaping of Technology theory (SST), and Critical theory to analyse the nuanced dynamics of digital identity in Nigeria.

Using a theoretical framework grounded in these theories, the research examines the experiences of Nigerian citizens with the NIN. By Combining surveys and interviews, the study examines the alignment between the system's objectives and unintended consequences such as privacy concerns, identity theft, and exclusion. This highlights the challenges of managing digital identity in a cultural diversified country. The analysis primarily extends Power Parity Theory by offering a perspective on how digital identity systems in Nigeria can either reinforce or reduce societal power imbalances, particularly in contexts marked by infrastructural inequality and governance opacity.

This study utilises a mixed-methods approach to examine the NIN in Nigeria, revealing the varied perceptions and experiences of its stakeholders. Quantitative analysis indicates a mixed reception of NIMC’s effort. The qualitative interviews corroborate these concerns among regular users, private organizations, and government entities, exposing substantial discrepancies in the system's effectiveness and security measures. The contrast between stakeholders' experiences points to a disconnect between the NIMC's intended functionality and its practical implementation. These findings call for a strategic overhaul with a focus on enhanced security protocols, inclusive stakeholder management and system design alignment with the diverse needs and expectations of all user groups to bridge the gap between intention and outcome in Nigeria's digital identity management.

This research presents a paradoxical view of the NIN, where the alignment and misalignment of intentions and outcomes underscore the complexities of digital identity management. The recommendations emphasise the need for open dialogues among all stakeholders, improvements in user-centric design, and addressing power imbalances within the system. Recognising potential biases in user responses was identified as a limitation of the study.