The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has intensified collaboration with key government institutions as part of efforts to implement the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 and accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards a secure, interoperable and citizen-centred digital identity ecosystem.
The renewed engagements, led by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, have seen the Commission hold high-level working sessions with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The consultations are aimed at aligning national priorities, strengthening institutional cooperation and expanding the role of digital identity as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
During a working visit to NITDA, its Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, commended NIMC’s ongoing reforms and pledged the Agency’s support for the effective implementation of the Commission’s mandate.
Inuwa said NITDA was ready to make available the digital infrastructure developed by the Agency, including the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI), to support seamless implementation of the country’s digital identity agenda.
The two institutions agreed to deepen cooperation in secure data exchange, cybersecurity, DPI, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and the development of trusted digital frameworks capable of supporting Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
The NIMC leadership also met with the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Commission to expand digital identity access among young Nigerians.
The Minister said stronger collaboration would enable more young people to access government programmes, digital opportunities and socio-economic initiatives, while commending the reforms being undertaken by NIMC under the new legal framework.
At INEC, the Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, acknowledged NIMC’s progress in expanding National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment and recognised the complementary mandates of both institutions.
He noted that the NIMC Act 2026 provides a stronger legal basis for collaboration in identity management, cybersecurity, data protection and the identification and resolution of duplicate identities within the electoral register.
Discussions with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, focused on the role of trusted digital identity in driving trade, investment and economic growth.
The Minister congratulated NIMC on the enactment of the NIMC Act 2026 and commended the Commission’s efforts to expand Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.
She emphasised the importance of the NIN in improving the ease of doing business, strengthening economic participation and unlocking opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The engagements form part of NIMC’s broader strategy to build stronger partnerships with critical Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure the effective implementation of the NIMC Act 2026 and consolidate Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure.
The Commission said the ongoing consultations would support improved service delivery, promote economic inclusion, strengthen national security and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
NIMC, according to its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, remains committed to working with strategic government institutions to build a trusted and interoperable digital identity system capable of supporting citizens, government services and Nigeria’s economic development.
