This represents a 49% increase since January 2022, when the enrolment figure stood at 72.7 million.

Recall that NIMC had recorded 120 million NIN enrolment as at June 2025.

The announcement was made today by Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director general/CEO of NIMC, during a two-day workshop with Guild of corporate Online Editors (GOCOP) in Lagos.

Speaking through Engineer Lanre Yusuf, director of Software and Biometrics at NIMC, the DG credited the sharp rise to sustained reforms, improved service delivery, and extensive stakeholder collaboration across government, media, and civil society.

“Every enrolment is a step toward inclusion,” Coker-Odusote said. “Through automation, digital tools, and community outreach, we are ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of background, can access critical services with a secure, verifiable ID.”

NIMC has expanded its footprint by revalidating and training over 7,100 front-end enrolment agents and rolling out self-service platforms to simplify the enrolment process.

The Commission’s partnerships with various government agencies have further boosted enrolment figures, especially among students, farmers, and vulnerable populations.

NIMC Cuts Extortion at NIN Registration Centres by Over 40%

Similarly, Engr. Coker-Odusote, reiterated the Commission has slashed extortion and unofficial charges at NIN enrolment centres nationwide by more than 40%, as part of a broader effort to promote transparency and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s digital identity system.

she said that enforcement of a standard fee structure and increased monitoring of front-end agents have significantly improved the enrolment experience for millions of Nigerians.

“NIN enrolment is free, and we have taken deliberate steps to communicate this nationwide,” she said. “Any modification or authentication fees are standardised, publicly listed, and closely monitored.”

To complement these reforms, NIMC has deployed grievance redress officers in all 36 states and a 24/7 toll-free line to respond swiftly to complaints.

The Commission is also leveraging digital tools such as the NINAuth and contactless biometric systems to reduce waiting time and prevent bottlenecks that can encourage extortion.

These systemic changes, Coker-Odusote emphasized, are aligned with global best practices under the ID4D (Identification for Development) framework, and reflect NIMC’s commitment to inclusive, secure, and citizen-friendly identity management.

Speaking in Abuja during a media briefing, NIMC Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, stated: “We have reduced incidents of extortion and corruption by at least 40%. While the process is ongoing, we’ve made significant progress.” 

This, according to her, is a result of deliberate reforms aimed at cleaning up the system and making the identity enrolment process more efficient, transparent and accessible.

The Commission’s speed is heavily supported by a $430 million Nigeria Identification for Development (ID4D) project, funded by the World Bank, which runs until December 2026. 

One key driver of the surge in enrolment, she explained, is the inclusion of the private sector through the Frontier Partners scheme. These private agents are deployed to local communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to fast-track registration.

“They [Frontier Partners] work with us by going into communities to enrol Nigerians. This integration of the private sector has helped us scale significantly,” Coker-Odusote said. The goal is to register every Nigerian by the end of 2025. 

NIMC is enhancing efforts in all states, providing offices with updated tools and assigning trained staff to handle both enrolment and modification services. “There are well-trained NIMC staff available to assist with enrollment and modifications, using the latest application tools,” she added.

Beyond personnel and decentralisation, technology has been placed at the heart of the Commission’s expansion strategy. Several digital platforms have been introduced to minimise bottlenecks and eliminate long queues at registration centres. 

These include an online pre-enrolment portal, biometric capture solutions, a modification platform for those who have relocated, and the Self-Assist Platform which uses biometric login for secure updates.

Another innovation is the NIMC NIN Authentication App, which links directly with the Commission’s backend system, allowing users to manage their data while reinforcing digital security. “The app gives users more control over their data and introduces a robust layer of security to the identity system,” she said.

But there’s more at stake than digital convenience. NIN is now mandatory for students seeking government-backed loans. This policy move links identity verification to financial inclusion, and Coker-Odusote spoke about its importance: “NIN provides a single, verifiable source of truth for applicants. This reduces the risk of duplication and identity fraud.”

To keep up with global cybersecurity standards, NIMC has partnered with experts to secure its infrastructure and data environment. Regular training and re-training of staff has also been institutionalised to ensure consistent, nationwide service delivery.

On pricing, she revealed that service fees have been reviewed, some reduced, others removed, and a few adjusted upward to match the actual cost of delivery. This revision aims to balance affordability with operational sustainability.

In summary, NIMC is overhauling its systems and processes with a mix of policy, public-private partnerships, technology and strategic funding. The numbers show progress, and the Commission’s target is full national coverage, and it’s working hard to hit it.

Obasi-Pherson Help Foundation had petitioned the 10th House alleging that some Assistant Comptrollers and Comptrollers were due for retirement but have blatantly refused to leave the service.

They named the affected officers as Imam, Umar and Egwu, all Assistant Comptrollers and Awe, Fatia and Faith, Comptrollers as the culprits.

Issuing the summons this Tuesday morning (February 12), the House noted that the CG has a duty as a public officer to explain to Nigerians what the true position is.

“Nigerians deserve to know the truth of the matter and it is only the CG that can clarify the situation. We are elected to serve the people and ensuring that all government agencies function effectively is part of that service. In this era when most of our youths are looking for job, it will be wrong for the older ones who are due for retirement to refuse to go,” Mike Etaba, Chairman of the Committee on Public Petitions, said.

“That is not to say we shall take sides, far from it. We treat each case on merit ensuring that justice is given at all times to the deserving,” he added.

In a related development, the Committee has threatened to order the arrest of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the director general and chief executive Officer of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) if she fails to come in person to answer charges on refusal to pay for state of the art software development project installed and deployed to the commission by a private firm, Truid Limited.

Truid Limited is alleging a breach of license agreement by NIMC. According to E. R. Opara, counsel to Truid Limited, the agreement is premised on an arrangement whereby the Truid Limited funded, developed and deployed tokenization system without any financial obligation from NIMC.

Truid was to get returns on her investment through patronage of service providers and the proceeds shared on an agreed ratio.

This was to run for an initial period of ten years from 2021 when the software was deployed.

According to the petition, things were going on smoothly until the appointment of the new DG of NIMC who has been trying to truncate the agreement.

Reacting to the submissions of the counsels of both the petitioners and the respondents, Chairman of the Committee, Mike Etaba frowned on the continuous absence of the NIMC Director General despite several invitations.

“If she fails to show up at the next hearing of this case, we’ll have no option than to ask the Inspector General of police to bring her. How can an official of government treat constituted authority with such levity? We can no longer condone such attitude”.

Recognizing this, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), with support from the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project, recently organized a two-day roundtable with online newspaper publishers in Nigeria.

The Roundtable, held in two batches, at Lagos and Abuja, respectively, provided participants the opportunity to understand and appreciate the activities, strategy, approach, achievements, and challenges of NIMC. It was the first of its kind, since the establishment of the commission.

This collaborative initiative underscores the importance of dialogue between regulatory bodies and media stakeholders in shaping the future of identity management in the country.

It marks a significant step toward enhancing communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding between NIMC and digital media stakeholders.

The roundtable, themed “Building Trust and Collaboration in the Digital Age: Enhancing Communication Between NIMC and Online Publishers,” aimed to bridge the gap between NIMC and the digital media.

It provided an opportunity for NIMC to articulate its mandate, vision, activities, and achievements directly to the publishers while addressing some misconceptions surrounding its operations. The roundtable laid the foundation for future interactions and collaborative efforts.

The event was also designed to foster a partnership that leverages the strengths of online media to support NIMC’s mission and to ensure accurate dissemination of information.

In her opening remarks at the event, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC director general and Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with the media to combat misinformation and to enhance the visibility of NIMC’s efforts.

“As we gather here today, we are united by a common goal: to build formidable bridges between the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the influential voices of the online media landscape.”

“In the digital age, the influence of online media cannot be overstated. The internet has become a primary source of information for many, particularly the youth. However, it is also a breeding ground for misinformation and rumours, which can severely impact the reputation and trust in organizations.”

“Our focus today is to address the dual role of online publishers – as key partners in disseminating accurate information and as potential sources of misconceptions. We recognize that while you have the power to amplify our successes, there is also the potential for misunderstandings that can spread rapidly.”

“This Roundtable aims to forge a partnership that leverages your strengths to support our mission while ensuring that any misconceptions are promptly and accurately addressed.”

“Pursuant to our commitment to transparency and accountability, we have instituted robust mechanisms for participation, grievance redress, and regular monitoring to enhance operational performance and mitigate social risks.”

“Let me also use this medium to remind you all that enrolment for the National Identification Number (NIN) is free of charge in Nigeria.”

“Taking advantage of this meeting, we hope to provide you with comprehensive insights into NIMC’s activities, objectives, strategies, achievements, and challenges. This knowledge is vital for you to disseminate accurate information to the public.”

“It is also expected that we discuss your roles in the forthcoming NIMC Ecosystem Enrolment exercise, ensuring you understand how you can contribute to this national effort.”

“Let me use this medium to, once again, reassure Nigerians, at home, and in the diaspora that robust measures are in place to safeguard the nation’s database from cyber threats. Under my leadership, NIMC has an unwavering commitment to upholding ethical standards in data protection. Cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies are in place to protect the database.”

Earlier in her remarks, Coordinator, Project Implementation Unit, Nigeria Digital ID4D Project, Tito Ejenavi, highlighted the project’s development objective – to increase the number of persons with a National Identity Number (NIN) through a robust and inclusive foundational identity system.

“By strengthening our national identity infrastructure, we aim to bolster Nigeria’s digital economy, enhance data protection, and close the inclusion gaps that hinder access to identification and related key services,” she explained.

Also, in his remarks, Deputy President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and Publisher of Newsdiary Online, Danlami Nmodu, pledged the continued support and collaboration of online publishers to the commission.

The roundtable featured a series of presentations, interactive sessions, and case studies, aimed at educating participants about NIMC’s operations, strategy, achievements, and plans.

Notable presentations included “NIMC: Mandate, Approach, Operations and Strategy” by Festus Esangbedo and “Understanding Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote’s 5-Point Agenda for NIMC” by Dr. Alvan Ikoku.

Others are: “Front End Partners in NIN Enrolment: Essence, Approach, Benefits and Challenges”, by Carolyne Folami; “Nigeria Digital ID4D Project and the Ecosystem Enrolment”, by Chinenye Chizea’; “Improvements to NIMC Infrastructure: Implications to Data Integrity, Privacy and Security”, by Chinenye Chizea, and “Online Publishers and Realization of the NIMC Mandate”, By Dr. Walter Duru.

These sessions provided comprehensive insights into the commission’s efforts to maintain a secure, robust and inclusive national identity system.

For online publishers, the roundtable underscored the importance of their role in the national identity management ecosystem.

As digital gatekeepers, they have the power to shape narratives and influence public perceptions.

The collaboration with NIMC presents an opportunity to enhance their reporting with accurate and comprehensive information directly from the source.

The NIMC’s engagement with online publishers is a strategic move to enhance transparency and build public trust in the National Identity Number (NIN) system.

By involving the media, NIMC can ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information, addressing public concerns and misinformation about the digital identity process.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for NIMC to clarify its objectives, challenges, and progress. Online publishers, armed with this knowledge, can produce more informed and insightful content, fostering a more supportive and educated public opinion.

This improved understanding can lead to more nuanced reporting, highlighting the benefits and addressing the drawbacks of the NIN system.

As the media amplify the discussions from the roundtable, the general populace stands to benefit from increased awareness about the importance of digital identity.

This awareness is crucial for driving the widespread adoption of the NIN, which is essential for the success of various government initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and socio-economic development.

Feedback from online publishers provided NIMC with valuable insights into public sentiment and practical challenges faced by citizens.

This collaborative feedback loop can inform policy adjustments and operational improvements, ensuring that the NIN system evolves to meet the needs and expectations of Nigerians effectively.

The outcomes of the roundtable were promising, with enhanced understanding of NIMC’s mandate and activities, strengthened relationships, and the establishment of effective communication bridges between NIMC and online publishers.

To sustain this momentum, several next steps were identified, such as establishing regular communication channels between NIMC and online publishers to ensure continuous engagement and prompt resolution of issues, periodic meetings, among others.

The time has therefore come for NIMC to create a structured framework for ongoing collaboration with online media. This can lead to sustained media support and effective dissemination of information about NIMC’s initiatives.

A comprehensive public education campaign, supported by the media, is essential for demystifying the NIN process and highlighting its benefits.

NIMC, in collaboration with online publishers, can develop and disseminate educational content that addresses common misconceptions and encourages participation in the digital identity system.

Organizing training sessions for online publishers and other media stakeholders on NIMC’s systems and processes will enhance their understanding and reporting accuracy.

By working together, NIMC and online publishers can enhance the visibility, trust, and goodwill of the commission, ensuring that accurate and effective information reaches the public.

No doubt, NIMC’s roundtable with online publishers represents a forward-thinking approach to governance and stakeholder engagement. It highlights the importance of collaboration between national institutions and digital media in fostering a well-informed and inclusive society.

This initiative is not only timely but also critical, given the increasing reliance on digital platforms for information dissemination. It sets the stage for improved public awareness and education on the importance of digital identity.

This partnership is not just beneficial to NIMC but also aligns with the social responsibility obligation of online publishers to inform and educate the public accurately.

As we move forward, sustained engagement, technological innovation, and comprehensive public education will be key to unlocking the full potentials of the NIN and ensuring that it serves as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s digital future.

With the foundation laid for a productive relationship, the future looks promising for NIMC and the online media community.

All hands must be on deck!

*Dr. Chike Walter Duru, an Associate Professor of Mass Communication, is a communication expert and Public Relations strategist. He could be reached on: walterchike@gmail.com.

Odimayo stated the commendation as NIMC and the members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Population held a retreat themed Identity Management and Legislative Oversight to seek areas of collaboration towards the achievement of the Commission’s mandate and foster a harmonious working relationship.

Speaking at the retreat, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the director general of NIMC, said that the retreat, amongst many, aims at re-acquainting the committee members with the activities of the Commission as well as its mandate and mission.

She emphasised that the retreat will provide the needed environment for the lawmakers and the management of the commission to identify possible areas of collaboration and build a harmonious working relationship towards the success of digital identity in Nigeria.

Commenting on the retreat focus, Okunjimi Odimayo, the House of Representatives Committee on Population chairman, commended the NIMC DG and her team for their effort at raising the Commission’s profile within a short period since her resumption of office.

He pledged that the Committee will give maximum support to NIMC to ensure it achieves its mandate.

The retreat had in attendance members of the House of Representatives Committee on Population and management staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Recall that NIMC engaged the agents to assist in the enrollment of Nigerians for the National Identification Number (NIN), in 2021.

In a recent letter to Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of Interior, the agents expressed their dissatisfaction with the massive devaluation of the Naira, bank loans used to pay for equipment and other miscellaneous expenses, money owed to consumables suppliers, and an accumulation of salary arrears owed to staff.

They requested a meeting with the minister in a letter titled “RE: Request For Meeting On Payment Of Outstanding Enrollment Fees To FEPS And Matters Arising In The Commission,” dated October 12, 2023, in order to better understand their challenges.

Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the DG of NIMC, in a statement issued on Wednesday expressed her sympathy with the FEPs who have been burdened with running their businesses for two years without payment.

The agents had added over 60 million NINs to the NIMC database within the period of their engagement, even as Coker-Odusote affirmed that the revalidation exercise carried out recently for the FEPs had helped the Commission ascertain the debt.

“The Commission, under my leadership, has conducted a revalidation exercise to review the outstanding payments which the new management inherited to offset the debt after going through a due audit process to validate the claims made by the FEPs.

“In the process, we found out that some of the invoices submitted by the FEPs did not tally with the enrolment figures shown on the database thus prompting the revalidation exercise to confirm the true and accurate enrolment information.

“Notwithstanding, we are wrapping up the audit process, and the activation of the FEPs will be done according to the outcome of the validation exercise. We sympathise with our partners over the delay and appeal for understanding especially as the new NIMC management is just a few months in the saddle and has been working on resolving all inherited debts,” the DG said.

Coker-Odusote noted that the previous management of the Commission could not clear the outstanding payments due to a lack of funds, while assuring that the current management is working hard to source for the funds to clear the debt.

“I, therefore, use the opportunity to reiterate that the revalidation exercise was aimed at sanitising the system as well as ensuring efficient and effective enrolment processes in line with international best practices of securing citizens’ data,” she posited.

Going by this number, Nigeria now has 104.16 million as total number of NIN enrolments.

This marks a 10.77% growth from the end of December 2022, where the recorded figure stood at 94.03 million.

With only 10.13 million individuals registered for NIN in 2023, this signals a considerable gap from the Federal Government’s ambitious target of 2.5 million monthly registrations.

The monthly average of enrolments throughout 2023 reveals that approximately 844,167 Nigerians obtained NINs each month, falling significantly short of the government’s set objective.

This figure is notably lower than the 21.33 million registrations recorded in 2022. While the numbers highlight progress, they underscore the challenges in achieving the targeted registration rate.

Lagos State recorded the highest cumulative enrolment figure, exceeding 11.4 million, with regional distribution indicating a near-equal spread between the North and South. Notably, 530,345 Nigerians in the diaspora have acquired NINs, contributing to a total of 59.12 million male and 45.04 million female Nigerians having NINs.

The top five states leading in NIN enrolments include Lagos (11.43 million), Kano (9.19 million), Kaduna (6.45 million), Ogun (4.41 million), and Oyo (4.04 million). Conversely, the bottom five states in descending order are Taraba (1.49 million), Cross-River (1.19 million), Ekiti (1.03 million), Ebonyi (839,506), and Bayelsa (657,484).

Despite the concerted efforts, the numbers fall short of the government’s National Development Plan 2021-2025, aiming to enroll 100 million Nigerians in three years at a rate of 2.5 million people monthly. The challenges in data availability in the country were acknowledged as a hurdle.

Meanwhile, Nigerians applying to change their date of birth on the National Identification Number (NIN) database would henceforth be required to provide an electronic civil registration and vital statistics system (e-CRVS) certificate from the National Population Commission (NPC).

The requirement is contained in new guidelines by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), led by Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Acting Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, for date of birth change it released recently via its X handle.

Similarly, both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission have also directed individuals to link their bank accounts and SIMs with their NINs, issuing deadlines for compliance.

In December 2023, CBN issued a directive imposing a “Post No Debit” restriction on all bank accounts without a Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) effective April 2024.

While the registration drive continues, achieving the ambitious targets remains a collective challenge that involves various stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

The requirement is contained in new guidelines by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), for date of birth change it released at the weekend via its X handle.

https://twitter.com/nimc_ng/status/1738834321165656202

According to the Commission, in addition to the certificate, NIMC said copies of other valid documents such as identification and application letter for modification will now be addressed to the Director General of NIMC.

Previously, only affidavits and the payment of N15, 000 were required for the modification of age and other modifications on the NIN system.

NIMC explained that with the new guidelines, date of birth modification could only be done once in a lifetime and only at NIMC enrolment centres.

It warned that its licensed agents are not allowed to do date of birth modification and other forms of modification.

In a statement signed by Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the director-general/chief executive officer, the commission said, “This is to inform you of an important regulatory update regarding the revalidation of your license as a Front-End Partner of NIMC.”

NIMC stressed that the revalidation process was mandatory for all current partners and it is intended to ensure compliance with the latest standards and protocols. It noted that the revalidation process will include a thorough review of the third-party organisation’s operations, technical infrastructure, and compliance with NIMC’s policies and guidelines.

Among others, key details of the revalidation process documentation, include that “You are required to submit the following documents for revalidation: Current Business Registration Certificate. Updated Company Profile, Copy of the signed Memorandum of Understanding. Evidence of fees paid to acquire a license. Tax Clearance Certificate for the past three years. Evidence of compliance with NIMC’s technical specifications.

“Provide proof of training and capacity building for your staff involved in the identity enrolment process. Total NIN registered. LLC’s should provide the list of sub-licensees registered under them.”

Meanwhile, the NIMC has budgeted N9.57 billion for construction purposes in 2024. This is contained in the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

The NIMC, which was formerly under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, was moved in September to the Ministry of Interior, headed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

But last week, the FG moved the commission to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

There however, are no clarifications yet on the forms of constructions expected to gulp the N9.57 billion and this may raise dust in some quarters.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued 102.39 million National Identification Numbers (NIN) to Nigerians as of August 28, 2023.

This was disclosed by the commission in its NIN enrollment data released on Wednesday this week.

The data revealed the top ten (10) states leading the NIN enrolments. They are;

1. Lagos State (11.17 million)

2. Kano State (9.07 million)

3. Kaduna State (6.3 million)

4. Ogun State (4.3 million)

5. Oyo State (3.9 million)

6. Katsina State (3.5 million)

7. FCT (3.4 million)

8. Rivers State (3 million)

9. Bauchi State (2.7 million)

10. Delta State 2.7 million.

In terms of the gender distribution of the enrollees, the NIMC data also disclosed that 58.15 million, representing 56.8 per cent of Nigerians so far captured in the NIN database are male, while 44.23 million, representing 43.2 per cent of the total enrollees are females.

From all indications, the slowdown in enrollments may affect Nigeria’s ambition of issuing 148 million NINs by June 2024.

Recall that the World Bank’s target under the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, was for Nigeria to have issued 148 million NIN by June 2024.

Aside from issuing NIN to 148 million Nigerians by 2024, the bank listed other targets to include the issuance of NIN to at least 65 million female Nigerians by June 1, 2024, as well as 50 million NIN to children under 16 years of age.

The data revealed that the NIN enrolments were yet to pick up after slowing down in July.

However, with the recent appointment of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, a new director-general, NIMC assured that it has started working to accelerate the issuance of the digital identity token in line with the renewed hope mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.