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.

This partnership is aligned with the Renewed Hope Mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and seeks to integrate the National Identification Number (NIN) registration process into the programme.

Revealed in a statement signed by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, the partnership aims to “ensure that every school child is enrolled and assigned a National Identification Number (NIN).”

This move, as noted, is designed to promote inclusive access to the school feeding programme, enhance transparency, and promote accountability.

Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the director-general and CEO of NIMC, will work closely with Princess Aderemi Adebowale, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope NHGSF initiative, to ensure the programme’s seamless implementation. 

The statement reiterated the importance of this partnership, describing it as “a pivotal step toward ensuring the effective implementation of the school feeding initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Dr. Kayode Adegoke also noted: “By integrating the NIN registration process into the school feeding program, the partnership underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to improving educational and nutritional outcomes for children while advancing the Digital Public Infrastructure in Nigeria.”

The initiative is expected to greatly boost sustainable development and equitable access to essential services for children. It aligns with NIMC’s mission of leveraging its expertise in identity management to support nationwide development efforts.

The statement further emphasised: “The NIMC remains dedicated to leveraging its expertise in identity management to drive sustainable development and equitable access to essential services for all Nigerians.”

This collaboration will ensure the government’s focus on improving education and nutrition, as well as strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure through the implementation of NIN among school-aged children is achieved without limitations.