By Mercy Aikoye
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has intensified efforts to expand Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem through stronger partnerships with key ministries, as the commission moves to accelerate the implementation of the new NIMC Act 2026.
Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, on Wednesday held separate meetings with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Bernard Doro; and Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, to strengthen inter-agency collaboration on digital identity deployment.
The engagements, held in Abuja, centred on improving identity enrolment, enhancing data protection, expanding the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), and leveraging digital identity to support government programmes and private sector activities.
Speaking during the meeting, Idris commended NIMC for its transformation of Nigeria’s identity management system, describing the commission’s progress in recent years as significant.
He disclosed that more than 136 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the national identity database, but noted that millions more are yet to be captured, stressing the need for intensified grassroots mobilisation.
The minister said collaboration between NIMC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) would be critical in reaching citizens across the country, given the agency’s presence in all local government areas.
According to him, reliable identity data remains essential for effective national planning, economic reforms and social inclusion, adding that government interventions can only be properly targeted when citizens’ information is accurate and verifiable.
Idris also commended NIMC for maintaining the security of the national identity database, noting that public trust in digital identity systems depends on strong privacy protection and transparency.
He pledged the support of agencies under the Ministry of Information, including the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and NOA, in driving awareness campaigns to encourage more Nigerians to enrol.
Responding, Coker-Odusote said the new NIMC Act 2026 had strengthened the commission’s legal framework, particularly in the areas of data protection, enforcement and prosecution of identity-related crimes.
She explained that unlike the repealed 2007 Act, the new legislation incorporates provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and empowers NIMC to work with security agencies and the Ministry of Justice in tackling identity fraud.
The NIMC boss revealed that the commission has reactivated its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) Unit to clamp down on illegal enrolment centres, identity theft and online fraud.
She added that NIMC is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security institutions to safeguard the country’s identity infrastructure.
Coker-Odusote further disclosed that nationwide ward-level enrolment had commenced following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing government services.
She said the exercise targets vulnerable groups, including women, children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and refugees, to promote inclusive planning and service delivery.
At the meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, the NIMC DG said digital identity would enhance transparency and accountability in social intervention programmes such as cash transfers and school feeding initiatives.
She said the “One Identity, One Number” policy introduced under the new Act would reduce duplication and ensure that government support reaches verified beneficiaries.
Doro welcomed the partnership, noting that reliable identity data would strengthen humanitarian programmes and improve the effectiveness of government interventions.
He described Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a key platform for improving coordination among government institutions and delivering services more efficiently.
Coker-Odusote also discussed with the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, ways of expanding digital identity applications within the business sector, promoting digital trust and supporting economic reforms.
She said stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies under the Tinubu administration had helped accelerate the integration of identity services across critical sectors of the economy.
