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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to improve governance, strengthen national security, enhance service delivery, and support broader socio-economic development.
Speaking at a digital conference in Abuja themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together,” Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the commission is accelerating efforts to build a secure and inclusive digital identity ecosystem capable of supporting seamless access to public and private services.
Represented by the Head of Infrastructure Technology and Identity Databases (IT/IDD), Mr. Sulaiman Falade, the NIMC boss said the commission is driving Nigeria’s digital transformation through institutional partnerships, strategic reforms, and the deployment of trusted identity systems.
NIN at the Centre of Digital Transformation
According to NIMC, the National Identification Number (NIN) remains central to the country’s digital public infrastructure strategy, serving as a critical tool for identity verification, authentication, and access to essential services.
Coker-Odusote noted that the growing integration of the NIN across government and private sector platforms is helping to improve efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and enable more secure digital interactions.
She referenced the Presidential Directive issued on April 5, 2024, which mandates Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to integrate the NIN into policies relating to data capture, biometric verification, and digital identity management.
“In line with the Presidential Directive, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are required to ensure the effective use of the NIN in driving policies around identity verification, biometric authentication, and digital service delivery. NIMC has already established structures to support effective implementation,” she said.
The commission said the directive aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of building a unified and interoperable identity system capable of supporting transparent governance and seamless service access.
Driving Secure Digital Governance
As part of Nigeria’s broader digital infrastructure agenda, NIMC said it continues to play a pivotal role in enabling digital governance and advancing national development priorities.
The commission highlighted the integration of digital identity systems and the deployment of the National Public Key Infrastructure (nPKI) as key measures aimed at strengthening trust in online transactions and securing citizens’ data.
According to Coker-Odusote, these systems are helping to create safer digital environments by enabling secure authentication, protecting sensitive information, and promoting confidence in online interactions across sectors.
The push for a stronger digital identity ecosystem is also expected to improve access to financial services, healthcare, education, and government programmes by ensuring reliable identification mechanisms for citizens and residents.
Call for Stakeholder Collaboration
NIMC called on stakeholders across both the public and private sectors to continue supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s digital identity framework, stressing that collaboration remains essential to building an effective and resilient digital economy.
The commission said sustained investment in secure digital systems and innovation would be critical to improving service delivery outcomes and expanding digital inclusion nationwide.
Reaffirming the agency’s mandate, Coker-Odusote said NIMC remains committed to leveraging technology and trusted identity infrastructure to support a more connected, efficient, and secure Nigeria.
According to her, strengthening the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure will not only improve governance but also create the foundation for inclusive growth and stronger citizen participation in the digital economy.
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