Capitol Hill, Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., has by proclamation declared Tuesday, September 16, 2025, as “National Identification Day”, to be observed throughout the Republic as a working Holiday. The declaration calls on the National Identification Registry (NIR), pertinent government agencies, and international organizations to carry out suitable events and programs to commemorate the day, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
The Presidential proclamation emphasizes three core principles of identity: inclusion, protection, and utility. It seeks to raise awareness about the estimated 850 million people globally, particularly across Africa, who lack proof of identity, reaffirming the commitment to achieve total inclusion.
The proclamation states that the National Identification Registry (NIR), which owns and runs the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS) with 720,000 enrolled individuals, was created in 2011 by a legislative assembly enacting legislation based on the three pillars of identity: inclusion, protection, and utility.
The declaration went on to say that the government is aware of the importance of safeguarding and advancing the welfare of both its citizens and foreign residents, and that it is working to improve and strengthen the collection, storage, evaluation, and security of data collected in order to register births, issue passports, and other forms of identification. Additionally, it stated that all Liberian citizens must register for the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS), where their identity is stored.
The decree also stated that, as a member of the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, and the Mano River Union, the government of the Republic of Liberia believes that an inclusive identity based on respect for human rights and privacy is crucial for economic growth and the digital transformation of government.
This year’s celebration of the day will be held under the global theme “My Identity, my Umbrella,” according to the Presidential decree. An interior event honoring the day will take place at the Paynesville Town Hall, starting at ten o’clock ante-meridian.
