• NIMC Seeks Media Collaboration to Enhance National Identity Management
By Chidi Ugwu
In a landmark achievement under her leadership, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has successfully scaled Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment to a record-breaking 115 million within one year.
Speaking at a two-day roundtable with online newspaper publishers in Abuja today, Coker-Odusote who was represented by Director, ICT/Identity Data Base; Engr. Lanre Yusuf also announced the clearance of two years’ backlog of payments owed to Front-End Partners (FEPs), a feat achieved in her first year as the substantive head of the commission.
Highlighting the commission’s milestone achievements, Coker-Odusote described the year as pivotal for advancing Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem. She attributed the success to strategic reforms and innovations aimed at fostering inclusivity, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and expanding access to NIMC services.
NIN Enrolment Surge and Infrastructure Expansion
Under Coker-Odusote’s leadership, NIMC deployed over 800 mobile enrolment devices and established territorial offices across the country to reduce waiting times for registration. These efforts propelled NIN enrolments to 115 million, backed by an expanded National Identity Database now capable of hosting 250 million identities.
In her words, “We have taken deliberate steps to ensure effective service delivery by modernizing infrastructure and clearing backlogs. These measures are part of a larger vision to create an inclusive and robust identity system that benefits every Nigerian.”
Seamless Data Integration and Verification Upgrades
NIMC has strengthened inter-agency collaboration by integrating the NIN with key agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Technological advancements, including an upgraded NIMS Middleware and a forthcoming NIN authentication app, promise enhanced data security and citizen control over personal information in compliance with national data protection regulations.
Coker-Odusote also announced plans to improve verification services with a 99% uptime guarantee, further solidifying NIN’s role as a foundational tool for identity verification across government and private sectors.
Reactivating the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC)
The reintroduction of the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) with advanced applets for secure payments and multi-functional use cases marks a significant leap in fostering financial inclusion. The card is now a vital tool for accessing essential services locally and internationally.
Broadening Financial and Social Inclusion
NIMC has leveraged the NIN to enhance financial inclusion, linking it with initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and grants under the Ministry of Agriculture. Over 3 million farmers and 800,000 MSMEs have benefitted from verified NINs, ensuring transparency and equitable distribution of resources.
The commission has also integrated NIN with critical national initiatives, including SIM card registration, digital health programs, and youth development projects, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive governance and national security.
Media Collaboration: ACOE Pledges Support
The Chairman of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), Mr. Martins Odiete, commended NIMC for its proactive approach in engaging online publishers. He thanked the DG and management of the commission for fostering this collaboration and recognized the importance of leveraging online platforms in delivering public policies to their intended audiences. According to him, “Online is the new engagement ground if public policies must reach the intended audience. NIMC, with the entire nation as its scope, has found a worthy ally in ACOE.”
Mr. Odiete assured the commission of ACOE’s unwavering commitment to the partnership, promising that the collaboration would yield significant benefits. “The commission will get more than enough value for its partnership with our association. Together, we will amplify NIMC’s achievements, educate the public, and ensure the success of its mission,” he added.
Future Plans and Commitment to Reforms
Looking ahead, Coker-Odusote outlined plans to adopt advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence for identity verification, expand enrolment centres, and deepen the integration of NIN into various sectors. She also reaffirmed her zero-tolerance stance on corruption, ensuring that NIMC operates transparently and in alignment with global best practices.
In her closing remarks, Coker-Odusote reiterated her commitment to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 16.9), which seeks to provide legal identity for all by 2030. “NIMC shall not rest until every citizen and legal resident of Nigeria is captured in the country’s identity database,” she declared.
The DG expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and to the Nigeria Digital ID4D Project for its support in driving NIMC’s vision. She urged online publishers to join hands with NIMC in building a secure and inclusive digital identity system that empowers every Nigerian.
