LAGOS JULY 19TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, says that the Commission has recorded a 49 per cent surge in National Identification Number, NIN enrolment within three years, rising from 72.7 million in January 2022 to over 122 million as of July 2025.
Speaking at the two-day workshop with online newspaper publishers under the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, in Lagos on Wednesday, Coker-Odusote described the growth as a landmark achievement and a testament to the Commission’s reforms and stakeholder-focused strategy.
“Millions of Nigerians are now being enrolled and issued a verifiable means of identification, unlocking access to critical services in education, agriculture, healthcare, social protection, and beyond,” she said.
System Overhaul and Integration
The DG noted that prior to the recent reforms, Nigeria’s identity ecosystem was disjointed and exclusionary. Today, through collaboration with key institutions and the private sector, NIMC has transformed it into a more unified and secure digital identity system. Strategic partnerships with JAMB, INEC, NHIS, CBN and other agencies have enhanced data verification and improved service delivery nationwide.
“We’ve addressed legacy issues such as extortion and unofficial fees, cutting them by over 40%, while expanding backend infrastructure and deploying self-service and contactless biometric technologies,” she explained.
Inclusion at the Core
Coker-Odusote reiterated NIMC’s commitment to social inclusion, saying that the Commission, through its Project Implementation Unit, has extended enrolment services to underserved communities, with particular focus on women, children and persons with disabilities.
“Over 7,167 revalidated front-end partners have been trained to reach these communities. We also operate a 24/7 toll-free grievance redress system to ensure concerns are addressed promptly,” she stated.
Economic and Social Impact
The DG highlighted that more than 3 million farmers and 800,000 students have accessed services linked to their NIN, including subsidies, educational loans, and social protection programmes. She noted that SIM-NIN linkage now stands at 172.67 million, aiding financial access and regulatory compliance.
She also revealed that NIMC will unveil a new General Multipurpose Card, GMPC, in October 2025, which will serve as a secure ID for accessing government services, financial platforms, health insurance, and digital ecosystems.
Media as Strategic Partners
Coker-Odusote praised the role of online publishers in promoting transparency and public awareness and urged them to continue supporting NIMC’s efforts through accurate reporting and civic education.
“Let us collectively combat misinformation, promote transparency and ensure every Nigerian understands the value of their identity,” she appealed.
She called for collaboration on special campaigns and educational content that simplify identity processes and build public trust.
“Together, we can ensure that every Nigerian is empowered to say, confidently and securely: I am recognised, I am included, I am identified,” she added.
The workshop is part of NIMC’s ongoing stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at promoting an inclusive, secure, and citizen-centred digital identity system.
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