Download logoThe President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., has, by proclamation, declared Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as “National Identification Day,” to be observed throughout the Republic as a working holiday.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the proclamation requests the National Identification Registry (NIR), other government agencies, and relevant international organizations to initiate and implement appropriate activities and programs befitting the occasion.
The Presidential Proclamation focuses on three fundamental principles of identity: inclusion, protection, and utility. It aims to raise awareness about the estimated 800 million people worldwide, particularly in Africa, who lack proof of identity, many of them children whose births were never registered. The proclamation thereby reaffirms the commitment to achieving total inclusion.
The campaign also reminds those who already possess identification documents to safeguard their identities against theft, protect their privacy, and recognize how their identities can empower them and simplify their daily lives.
According to the proclamation, the Government of Liberia, conscious of the three fundamentals of identity—inclusion, protection, and utility—enacted legislation in 2011 establishing the National Identification Registry (NIR), which owns and operates the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS). Currently, approximately 720,000 people are enrolled in the system.
The proclamation further states that the Government, cognizant of the importance of protecting and promoting the well-being of its citizens and foreign residents alike, has committed to improving and strengthening the collection, storage, evaluation, and security of information gathered for the registration of births, issuance of passports, and other identification documents.
Under this framework, every person in Liberia is required to enroll in the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS), where their status as either a citizen or foreign national is recorded and confirmed by the Government of Liberia.
The proclamation adds that the Government of Liberia believes inclusive identity systems, built on respect for privacy and human rights, are essential for economic growth and the digital transformation of government. As a member state of the Mano River Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the African Union (AU), Liberia is committed to advancing inclusive, rights-based identity systems in line with regional and continental frameworks.
The proclamation notes that ID4Africa, founded in 2014, is an Identity-for-All Movement dedicated to helping African nations develop robust and responsible identity ecosystems for socioeconomic advancement, digital development, and humanitarian action. The movement serves as the voice of Africa, ensuring that the continent’s needs and realities are well represented in the global discourse on identity and development.
It champions Identity-for-All both as a legal right, consistent with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, and as a practical necessity for empowering people in their daily lives.
According to the Presidential Proclamation, this year’s celebration will be observed under the global theme: “MY IDENTITY, MY SHADOW, NEVER APART.”
An indoor program commemorating the day will be held at the Paynesville City Hall, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.
