…Integrates 120 MDAs
…To Launch New Card by October
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has achieved a landmark milestone of 120.4 million enrollments for the National Identification Number (NIN).
Director General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, announced the achievement while highlighting significant improvements in infrastructure expansion and system integration aimed at ensuring seamless identity authentication for all Nigerians. She explained that these efforts have also contributed to a 40% reduction in corruption within the commission’s operations.
The NIMC chief stated that, despite recent adjustments in its service pricing framework, NIN enrolment remains free for all citizens and legal residents. However, the costs for data modifications have been increased, while verification fees have been lowered to reflect current economic realities.
For instance, the cost of modifying the date of birth was raised from ₦16,340 to ₦28,574, representing a 75% increase, which she noted still falls short of inflation-adjusted costs. On the other hand, NIMC’s NIN retrieval service on the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) platform rose from ₦20 to ₦50.
“We are people-centric in our dealings. Some prices were too high, and we had to adjust them. There were various extortions with outrageous pricing. NIN enrolment is free, but if you want to modify your data for any reason, there are costs associated,” Odusote clarified.
The Director General also highlighted the agency’s recent strides in infrastructure expansion, which include the upgrade of backend systems and automation of many internal and external processes. These developments are aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
NIMC has successfully integrated its systems with 120 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the NHIS, NPC, FIRS, Banks, Security Agencies, Correctional Services, School Feeding Program, NASCO, and many more.
New Digital National ID Card Set for October Launch
Dr. Peter, Director of Card Services, announced that NIMC is set to launch a new digital version of the National ID Card by October 2025. The card will enable citizens to easily access government services and social welfare programs, moving away from traditional physical cards to a more modern, digital format.
Debt Clearance and Staff Promotion
Under Coker-Odusote’s leadership, NIMC cleared a total debt of ₦280 million, making the agency debt-free. She also disclosed that 1,300 staff members have been trained and promoted as part of the ongoing transformation to enhance service delivery.
The NIMC boss emphasized that these reforms are part of broader efforts to align with the World Bank’s Digital Identity for Development (ID4D) initiative, which aims to provide secure and inclusive identification systems for Nigerians.
