NIMC Hits 120 Million Enrollments, Launches NIN Security App to Tackle Fraud

By Queen Kunde

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has recorded a major milestone with over 120 million Nigerians now enrolled in the National Identity Database. This was revealed during a high-profile media parley held yesterday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The event, led by NIMC’s Director General and CEO, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, unveiled the commission’s latest innovation — NINAuth, a digital identity verification application designed to secure the Digital Identity Database and streamline access to government services.

“NIN enrollment remains free. However, we urgent citizens to verify their information at the point of registration to avoid costly modifications” Cokee-Odusote advised, noting that, “date of birth changes can now only be done once”.

The DG emphasized the app’s pivotal role in combating cyber fraud, enabling secure NIN authentication across platforms including SIM registration, passport issuance, driver’s licenses, tax processing, and social programs. Citizens are encouraged to download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

In a move to promote transparency and strengthen digital security, the NINAuth platform has been mandated by the federal government as the sole official channel for all NIN-based verifications.

Coker-Odusote highlighted the agency’s collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Police Anti-Cyber Unit, which has led to several arrests and ongoing prosecutions targeting cybercrime rings impersonating NIMC services.

Other notable updates from the parley include:

• 40% reduction in internal corruption under her leadership.
• Training of over 1,000 personnel in 2024 to enhance service delivery.
• Expansion of infrastructure and automation of key processes to reduce bottlenecks.

On the issue of service charges, Coker-Odusote clarified that while NIN enrollment remains free, recent price adjustments were made to discourage extortion and standardize modification costs.

“The prices were too high and inconsistent. We’ve reviewed them, modification fees have increased but verification costs have gone down” she explained.

The NIMC boss concluded by assuring Nigerians of continued reforms to strengthen identity management and protect citizen data in line with global best practices.