This study delved into the digital identity system and the privacy rights of citizens in Abeokuta, Ogun State. It specifically looked at how aware people are of the National Identification Number (NIN) and its usage, their understanding of privacy rights under the NDPA 2023, their concerns about privacy and perceived risks, their trust in the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and how these factors relate to their awareness of rights, trust levels, and enrollment status. The research utilized a mixed-methods descriptive survey design, distributing 400 questionnaires to residents in the Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas through a multistage sampling approach, with 387 responses deemed valid for analysis. Additionally, Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted. The data was analyzed using SPSS v27, employing descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, and T-tests at a significance level of 0.05. The findings showed a high NIN enrollment rate of 85.0% among participants. Awareness and usage of the digital ID system were notably high (X̄ = 3.82, SD = 0.764), while awareness of privacy rights was only moderate (X̄ = 2.91, SD = 0.912). Concerns about privacy and perceived risks were high (X̄ = 3.94, SD = 0.831), and trust in institutions was moderate (X̄ = 2.78, SD = 0.958). A significant positive relationship was found between awareness of privacy rights and institutional trust (r = 0.521, p = 0.000). Furthermore, residents without a NIN expressed significantly greater privacy concerns compared to those who held one (t = 2.341, p = 0.020). The study concludes that while residents of Abeokuta have largely embraced the digital identity system, there is a noticeable trust gap stemming from low awareness of rights and high privacy concerns. The fear of data misuse poses a significant barrier to complete enrollment. Based on these findings, the study recommends that: 1) NIMC Ogun State and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission should ramp up rights-based awareness campaigns in Abeokuta’s markets, schools, and communities to enhance understanding of the NDPA; 2) NIMC should bolster data security, transparency, and timely breach notification processes to foster institutional trust; and 3) Government should ensure non-digital alternatives and clear redress channels to reduce exclusion and fear among citizens without NIN.
Keywords: NDPA 2023, NIN, citizen trust, digital identity, privacy rights
