By Queen Kunde
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has been awarded the Outstanding Performance in Public Service Award at the African Iconic Women Recognition Awards 2025.
The highly coveted award celebrates Dr. Coker-Odusote’s visionary leadership and transformative strides in redefining Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem. Organizers of the award praised her for a leadership style that is not only innovative but also deeply impactful—leading NIMC into the forefront of digital identity management across Africa.
Since assuming office, Dr. Coker-Odusote has spearheaded groundbreaking reforms in the Commission. These include a significant rise in National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment, the creation of a secure, globally recognized identity database, and improved staff welfare including a notable 25/35% salary increase. Her tenure has also seen enhanced human capacity development, inter-agency collaborations, and seamless data harmonization efforts.
At the core of her achievements lies a 5-point agenda that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Mandate—driving a digital identity revolution that is both inclusive and secure.
The Commission is also urging the public to embrace NIN Authentication (NINAuth), a secure digital solution for verifying identities in real-time. This innovation gives Nigerians greater control over their personal data while facilitating safer and faster interactions with government and private institutions.
“NINAuth is a game-changer. It allows users to determine when and how their data is used while preventing unauthorized access,” Dr. Coker-Odusote stated. “Our goal is to build an identity system that empowers every Nigerian.”
As NIMC continues to champion digital trust and citizen-centric service delivery, the nation celebrates one of its finest public servants whose leadership is setting new standards in governance and technology.