By Chidi Ugwu
Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has been celebrated for her exemplary leadership with the Outstanding Performance in Public Service Award at the prestigious African Iconic Women Recognition Awards 2025.
In a statement on Monday, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head, Corporate Communications, noted that the accolade highlights her unwavering dedication and transformative impact on Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.
According to the statement, the award committee lauded Engr. (Dr.) Coker-Odusote for her innovative and transformational leadership approach, stressing that her commitment to building a secure, reliable, and comprehensive identity database has revolutionized digital identity management in Nigeria.
Under Engr. Coker-Odusote’s guidance, NIMC has emerged as a leading authority in Africa’s identity sector, setting new standards for excellence.
Since assuming leadership, Engr. (Dr.) Coker-Odusote has spearheaded several key initiatives, including: A substantial increase in National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment nationwide, The development and maintenance of a world-class, secure identity database, Implementation of a 25-35% salary adjustment to enhance staff welfare, Strengthening human capacity through targeted training and development, and Effective data harmonization and collaboration with government agencies to maximize NIN utilization.
Her success is anchored in a strategic 5-point agenda aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Mandate. This framework has catalyzed unprecedented growth in Nigeria’s digital identity sector, ushering in a new era of innovation and security.
NIMC encourages all Nigerians to take advantage of NIN Authentication (NINAuth) — an advanced verification tool designed to provide timely, secure, and seamless NIN validation services. NINAuth empowers individuals to: Protect their personal data from unauthorized access, Control when and how their information is shared, and Enjoy effortless interactions with government agencies.
This initiative underscores NIMC’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ identity data and enhancing the efficiency of Nigeria’s identity management system.
By adopting NINAuth, Nigerians can fully benefit from a secure and efficient identity infrastructure. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote on this well-deserved honor and anticipate continued advancements in Nigeria’s identity management under her visionary leadership.