FG Opens Unified Service Portal for NIN, SMEDAN Registration, Scam Reporting

FG Opens Unified Service Portal for NIN, SMEDAN Registration, Scam Reporting

The Federal Government has introduced a unified online service portal allowing Nigerians to access information and services from government agencies, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Scamwatch, through a central digital platform.

The Government Service Portal, available at services.gov.ng, is designed to reduce the difficulty of navigating multiple government websites by bringing information about public services together in one location.

Brandspur Brand News reports that the initiative was developed by Galaxy Backbone in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), as part of efforts to modernise public administration through digital technology.

The platform features services covering identity management, business support, regulatory processes and cybersecurity. Nigerians can use its directory to locate relevant government services and proceed to the agencies responsible for providing them.

For individuals seeking identity-related services, the portal provides access to NIMC offerings, including National Identification Number (NIN) pre-enrolment and verification.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs can also find SMEDAN services covering SME registration, business validation, its one-stop portal, garment and textile cluster support, as well as business survival and support programmes.

Another significant addition is Scamwatch, which provides an online channel for reporting scams and cybercrime-related incidents. Its listing indicates a service timeline of zero to 48 hours, although users are expected to follow the applicable reporting procedures and regulatory requirements.

The portal’s directory also features services from several other public institutions, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigerian Immigration Service, National Youth Service Corps and Nigerian Communications Commission.

Other participating institutions include the National Information Technology Development Agency, Independent National Electoral Commission and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Galaxy Backbone is leading the implementation of the platform. At its soft launch in Abuja on July 28, 2026, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, described the initiative as an effort to make government services more accessible by reducing the need for citizens to navigate numerous websites and service channels.

The platform has also undergone user acceptance testing across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, involving 184 participants.

Results presented by Galaxy Backbone’s Executive Director, Digital Exploration and Technical Services, Olumbe Akinkugbe, showed that more than 80 per cent of participants considered the portal easy to use and navigate.

Approximately 88 per cent successfully located government services during the exercise, while 71 per cent rated its performance as fast or very fast. Furthermore, 91 per cent indicated their willingness to use the platform, and 99 per cent said they would recommend it to others.

However, the assessment identified some technical issues requiring attention, particularly during user registration, image capture and the delivery of one-time passwords used for authentication.

Galaxy Backbone said improvements to the platform’s security, system architecture and verification processes would form part of its ongoing development.

For Nigerians, the portal could simplify routine interactions with government institutions, particularly when searching for information about identification, business registration and regulatory requirements. Small businesses may also benefit from having several relevant support services accessible through a single directory.

However, the effectiveness of the initiative will depend on how many government agencies integrate their services and whether users can complete transactions successfully without encountering technical difficulties.

The government will also need to address digital access challenges affecting Nigerians without reliable internet connections, smartphones or sufficient digital skills.

As additional ministries, departments and agencies join the platform, services.gov.ng is expected to expand its directory, with its long-term value resting on the reliability, accessibility and actual delivery of the services listed.