By Joy Odor/Abuja-Nigeria
In a landmark effort to enhance public confidence and inclusion in Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) partnered with the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) to host a two-day strategic roundtable in Abuja.
Themed “Building Trust in Digital Identity: Strengthening Media Partnerships for a Secure and Inclusive Ecosystem,” the event brought together digital editors, publishers, and identity sector stakeholders to review Nigeria’s progress and examine the media’s role in strengthening public engagement and accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the NIMC Director General/CEO, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Dr. Alvan Ikoku highlighted the importance of media collaboration in driving awareness and trust.
“You have reported our highs and lows, challenged us to do better, and supported us with your platforms,” she said. “Now, we must deepen this collaboration so every Nigerian understands the value of identity, their rights, and the promise of digital inclusion.”
Engr. Coker-Odusote noted significant progress in building a unified, secure, and inclusive identity system. National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment has jumped from 72.7 million in 2022 to over 122 million by mid-2025—a 49% increase.
This growth has enabled millions to access critical services in education, healthcare, agriculture, and finance.
The deployment of tech solutions such as the NINAuth mobile app, a self-service enrolment platform, and contactless biometric systems has further enhanced accessibility and efficiency.
Key reforms unveiled include a 40% reduction in extortion and unofficial fees, a new standardised fee structure, and the settlement of outstanding payments to enrolment partners.
NIMC also spotlighted new collaborations with government agencies including the NHIS, JAMB, INEC, CBN, and PENCOM.
These partnerships have enabled identity verification across sectors and supported access to initiatives like student loans, agricultural grants, enterprise development, and workers’ compensation.
A major development on the horizon is the launch of the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) in October 2025—a secure, multifunctional ID card to streamline access to government services, banking, health insurance, and digital platforms.
Mrs. Tito Ejanavi, Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, reaffirmed her organisation’s support for inclusive identity access.
Backed by the World Bank, French Development Agency, and European Investment Bank, ID4D has trained and deployed over 7,000 Front-End Enrolment Agents nationwide.
“We are not just investing in systems—we are investing in people,” Ejanavi said, citing stakeholder dialogues, infrastructure upgrades, and grievance redress mechanisms that have improved enrolment equity and security.
She applauded the NIMC DG’s leadership and called for sustained media partnerships to drive awareness, especially in underserved communities.
ACOE President Mr. Shola Akingboye praised NIMC’s efforts and pledged the media’s continued role in public education and transparency.
“The right of Nigerians to know is essential for governance,” he said. “We stand ready to support NIMC as watchdogs and as partners in this national assignment.”
Akingboye also called for ongoing engagement with online editors to counter misinformation and strengthen public understanding of digital identity.
The event featured presentations by top NIMC officials, including:
Dr. Alvan Ikoku on strategic alliances and their impact on inclusion
Mr. Elias Okafor on the challenges of national ecosystem enrolment
Mrs. Uche Chigbo on NIMC’s operational reforms and personnel development
A Q&A session allowed journalists to engage directly with NIMC leaders, offering clarity on recent reforms and future initiatives.
Concluding the event, the NIMC DG encouraged the media to act as “co-builders” of the nation’s digital identity future through accurate reporting, community engagement, and education campaigns.
“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 affirmed.
With over 172 million SIM-NIN linkages, 3 million farmers, and 800,000 students already benefiting from identity-enabled services, Nigeria’s digital identity initiative is fast becoming a cornerstone of national development.
