By Queen Kunde
In a major move to boost public confidence, deepen transparency, and promote inclusive access to digital identity in Nigeria, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in collaboration with the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), hosted a two-day strategic roundtable workshop in Abuja.
Themed “Building Trust in Digital Identity: Strengthening Media Partnerships for a Secure and Inclusive Ecosystem,” the event brought together digital media publishers, editors, and identity stakeholders from across the country. The workshop focused on the evolution of Nigeria’s identity ecosystem and the vital role the media plays in enhancing public understanding and engagement.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Director General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Dr. Alvan Ikoku described the Commission’s ongoing reforms as a transformation from a fragmented and exclusionary system into a secure, unified, and people-centred digital identity platform. She revealed that the number of Nigerians enrolled in the National Identification Number (NIN) system has risen dramatically from 72.7 million in 2022 to over 122 million by July 2025, an impressive 49 percent increase in just over three years.
This growth, she noted, has enabled millions of Nigerians to gain access to essential services in the education, agriculture, healthcare, and financial sectors. The DG attributed this progress to strategic investments in digital infrastructure, automation, and service delivery innovations. She pointed to tools such as the NINAuth mobile app, the self-service enrolment app, and contactless biometric solutions, which have already improved the Commission’s operational efficiency and citizen experience.
During the roundtable, Dr. Coker-Odusote also spotlighted major institutional reforms within NIMC aimed at addressing public concerns. She said the Commission had significantly reduced cases of extortion and unofficial charges at enrolment centres. Additionally, a transparent and standardised fee structure has been introduced for modifications and authentication services. NIMC, she said, has paid all outstanding debts owed to enrolment partners, strengthening stakeholder confidence.
The Director General praised the growing partnerships between NIMC and other critical government agencies, including the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Pension Commission (PENCOM), and others. These collaborations have facilitated smoother identity verification processes and have helped Nigerians access services such as student loans, agricultural subsidies, enterprise funding, and pensions.
Looking ahead, Dr. Coker-Odusote announced that the Commission will launch the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) in October 2025. This secure, multifunctional card will allow citizens to access government services, banking, health insurance, and digital platforms with a single ID.
The roundtable also featured remarks from Mrs. Tito Ejanavi, Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, which is funded by the World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank. She affirmed the project’s continued support for inclusive identity enrolment, especially among women, children, rural communities, and persons with disabilities. According to Ejanavi, more than 7,000 front-end enrolment agents have already been trained and deployed nationwide. She noted that infrastructure upgrades and biometric enhancements have strengthened enrolment coverage and national security.
Ejanavi added that the ID4D project is not only focused on systems but on people, with its investments extending to capacity-building, grievance redress training, and stakeholder engagement workshops. She praised the NIMC DG for her visionary leadership and pledged that media engagement would remain a top priority for the project moving forward.
On the media side, ACOE Chairman, Mr. Shola Akingboye, commended NIMC’s leadership and reaffirmed the media’s role as a critical partner in promoting public education and combating misinformation. He said Nigerians have a right to understand the importance of digital identity, and that online editors stand ready to amplify NIMC’s efforts through professional and transparent reporting. Mr. Akingboye recalled the success of previous engagements between NIMC and the media and called for continued dialogue to support national identity goals.
The workshop also featured technical presentations by top NIMC officials. Dr. Alvan Ikoku discussed strategic alliances with Ministries, Departments and Agencies and their implications for inclusion. Mr. Elias Okafor, Director of the Identity Ecosystem Unit, shared insights into the challenges of national enrolment, while Mrs. Uche Chigbo, Zonal Director for the South-East, outlined ongoing operational reforms and innovations aimed at building capacity within the system. A Question and Answer session followed, allowing journalists to engage with NIMC officials and gain deeper clarity on current initiatives.
In her closing remarks, the Director General urged the media to become co-architects of Nigeria’s digital identity revolution by driving advocacy, promoting accurate reporting, and raising grassroots awareness. She stressed the need for improved public education to close digital literacy gaps and ensure no Nigerian is excluded from the benefits of a digital identity system.
“Together, we can build a trusted, robust identity ecosystem where every citizen can confidently say, ‘I am recognised. I am included. I am identified,’” she declared.
With over 172 million SIM-NIN linkages recorded, and millions of students, farmers, and entrepreneurs already benefiting from NIN-integrated services, NIMC’s digital identity campaign is rapidly reshaping how Nigerians access opportunity, inclusion, and essential services across the country.
Discussion about this post