Two Years of NIMC’s Giant Strides Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

She is a renowned visionary leader and trailblazer with a multidisciplinary expertise and stellar career spanning nearly two decades across a broad spectrum of sectors, including Information Technology, Telecommunications, Finance, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Government/Public Utilities. An Amazon with remarkable versatility and strategic insight, which have established her as a master change-agent and highly respected executive.

With a leadership defined by innovation, impact, and a results-driven approach, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the incumbent Director-General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), anchored her statutorily responsibility in a transformative Five-Point Agenda. This focuses on increasing enrollment in the National Identity Database; Enhancing access to services and support for financial inclusion; Harmonization and Inter-Government Agencies Integration; Expanding Public/Private sector adoption of NIN as foundational identity data; Issuance of National Identity Card.

Similarly, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has prioritized staff training and welfare, improved working conditions, infrastructure upgrades, and a firm stance on zero tolerance for extortion and inefficiency. Under her leadership, NIMC has achieved key milestones, including: Sanitization of the NIMC database and clearing of enrollment backlogs; Launch of a self-service modification platform to reduce turnaround time; Revalidation of Front-End Enrollment Partner licenses to boost efficiency; Implementation of intergovernmental initiatives aligned with the Eight Priority Areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s administration; Integration and Harmonization of Data across MDAs Launch of the NIN Authentication platform.

Her influence extends across several high-impact national and international platforms as she is Nigeria’s ID4Africa Ambassador and serves as Chairperson of OSIA Advisory Committee (Global South). She currently serves on the boards of Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial support for tertiary and vocational studies,as well as Presidential Consumer Credit Scheme, aiming to provide credit access to 50% of working Nigerians by 2030.

She also holds key positions in Ecosystem Steering Committee, ID4D World Bank Project;Cybersecurity Advisory Council; Federal Civil Service Strategy Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25) War Room on Digitalisation, National Addressing Council, Presidential Committee on Economic & Financial Inclusion, Presidential Committee on Digital Public Infrastructure, National Steering Committee on the Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme; Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has received an honorary Doctorate Degree from the African University of Science and Technology. Abuja. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria and the Nigeria Computer Society. Her journey is a testament to excellence, service, and an unwavering commitment to national transformation.

In just over two years, Dr. Coker-Odusote has led a transformative overhaul of the National Identity Management Commission. Through her visionary leadership and the implementation of the five-point agenda, the NIMC has made remarkable strides in improving enrollment processes, strengthening its data security infrastructure, integrating more seamlessly with other government agencies, and ensuring the widespread adoption of NIN as the foundational identity document in Nigeria. Her achievements reflect a commitment to making the NIMC a world-class identity management agency, contributing to national security, financial inclusion, improved public service delivery.

While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting her with the mantle of leadership at the Commission, she expressed her commitment to driving a secure, reliable, and transformative identity ecosystem in service to Nigeria.

In her words, “Under my leadership, NIMC has strengthened national security supported anti-corruption efforts and empowered departments to innovate and expand service delivery. We have increased enrollment figures, adopted cutting-edge technology, and made businesses more аccessible and efficient across the country. In transitingthe Renewed Hope Agenda from a mere policy document into a national movement, NIMC is poised to be at the heart of the transformation.”

The Five-Point Agenda and NIMC’S Achievements In Each Area

1.) Increased Enrollment: Before her appointment, NIMC faced significant delays and inefficiencies in the NIN enrollment process due to insufficient equipment and an overwhelmed system. Many citizens experienced long queues resulting from a lack of access to enrollment centres, which was further exacerbated by unregulated third-party agents who extorted citizens. The consequences and achievements of these step include:

• Deployment of over 800 mobile enrollment devices: This strategic initiative has expanded the enrollment capacity across Nigeria, helping to register an additional 13 million Nigerians, bringing the total number of registered NINs from 100 million to 119,527,376 as at April, 2025.
• Revalidation of Front&End Enrolment Partner (FEP) licenses: This has ensured that only thoroughly vetted partners participate in the enrollment process, reducing fraudulent activities and streamlining operations.
• Creation of territorial offices: This move has enhanced the oversight of staff and operations, ensuring smoother administrative processes and more effective management of enrollment activities across the country.
• Expansion of diaspora enrollment centers: Over 200 new centers have been established globally, to further ensure that Nigerians abroad can access needed identity services.
• Launch of the Self-Service Mobile App and Web Modification App: These self-service platforms allow citizens to update their records and enroll in a more user-friendly, accessible way without the need to visit enrollment centers. Over 516,000 records have been treated via the portal since its deployment.

2.) Harmonization & Integration of Data Across All Agencies:A key priority for the DG was to address the fragmented approach to identity management across various government agencies, which led to duplication and inefficiencies in data handling.

• Successful integration of NIN with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS):This ensures that immigration processes are directly linked with the NIN database, enabling seamless verification for passport issuance.
• Inter-agency collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS): This integration supports data harmonization, making the NIN the foundational identifier for tax and financial records.
• Technological upgrades: The NIMS Middleware – the operational ‘nerve center’ that coordinates all the database workflows for the identity system – has been improved to automate date of birth modifications and introduce new workflows, including amputee verifications, to enhance service efficiency.
• Monitoring and evaluation systems: These systems have been implemented across enrollment centers to understand challenges faced by staff and enrollees, ensuring better data integration and management.

The impacts ofthese initiatives have significantly improved inter-agency cooperation, enhanced data security, and established the NIN as a critical tool for identity verification across multiple sectors.

3.) Issuance and Activation of GMPC/Use of Applets:The issuance of the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) had stalled in previous years, limiting its use in facilitating financial inclusion and identity verification. This programmehas led to the achievements of the following:

• Re-launch of the GMPC: The DG activated the process for the re-launching of the GMPC and included applets that enable secure payments and access to services directly via the card.
• Applets Integration for payments: With the inclusion of applets on the GMPC, citizens will be able to perform financial transactions more easily, enhancing their access to financial services.
• NIMC Mobile Wallet ID: A significant milestone is the introduction of the NIMC Mobile Wallet ID, a cutting-edge mobile wallet app designed to allow residents to manage their digital identities. This app enables residents to scan and store their physical IDs as digital copies, customize information shared with enterprises, perform biometric (facial) authentication, and manage their IDs across multiple devices.

In terms of impact, these measures will provide Nigerians with a robust tool for identity verification and financial transactions, improving access to essential services.

4.) Access to Services to Aid Financial Inclusion Through G2P Payments: Limited access to financial services had been a significant issue, especially in rural areas and among marginalized groups. Prior to the Engr. Coker-Odusote’s appointment, the NIN’s potential as a tool for financial inclusion had not been fully realized.This step has given birth to:

• Rice Palliative Initiative Using NIN: In response to the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians, the NIMC partnered with the Presidency to utilise the NIN for verification and allocation for the rice palliative distribution program, ensuring fair and transparent access to relief packages.
• Student Loans Initiative with NELFUND:The NIMC played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND),where the NIN is used as a primary identifier for students applying for loans. This ensures that loans are allocated to deserving candidates and enhances financial inclusion for students.
• Seamless Verification Services: The DG also ensured the availability of seamless verification services for financial institutions, helping to bring more Nigerians into the formal financial system. The introduction of the High Availability NIMC Verification Service (HA-NVS) further streamlined access to identity data for service providers, bolstering financial inclusion.

These achievements have directly contributed to financial inclusion, especially in remote areas, by ensuring that NIN is linked to essential financial services.

5.) Increased Public and Private Sector Participation in Using NIN as the Foundational Data for Identification: Before the Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote’s tenure, there was a lack of widespread enforcement and public awareness regarding the mandatory use of NIN, limiting its application in both public and private sectors.

• Enforcement of NIN for SIM Registration: The NIMC worked closely with telecoms industry and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce the NIN-SIM linkage, ensuring that all mobile phone users are registered with their NIN, reducing fraud and improving national security.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Through aggressive monitoring, evaluation, and awareness campaigns, Engr. Coker-Odusote has significantly increased the public’s understanding of the importance of NIN as a foundational identity resource.
• Private sector engagement: The NIMC has collaborated with various private entities, including Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System PLC (NIBSS) and other organizations, to increase the use of NIN in their operations.
• Collaborations with State Governments:NIMC worked closely with state governments to integrate the NIN with their residents’registration efforts, ensuring a more comprehensive database for national planning and service delivery.
• Notable Security and Anti-Corruption Initiatives: One of the most significant accomplishments under Engr. Abisoye’s leadership has been the enhanced focus on security and combating corruption within NIMC and its processes. These initiatives have achievedcrackdown on fraud. Following reports of extortion by fraudulent agents and illegal websites like Goverify.com, Humanityverify.com, and Trustyverify.com, NIMC partnered with the security agencies, led by the Nigerian Police Force – National Cyber Crime Center (NPF-NCCC) to launch a coordinated operation. Over 30 arrests were made, with recovered items including laptops, fake NIN slips, GPS flash drives, NIN forms.
• Enhancement of Data Protection and Data Privacy: In response to the growing importance of data protection and privacy, Engr. Coker-Odusote introduced several key initiatives aimed at strengthening these areas. These measures include ensuring implementation of advanced encryption technologies, stricter access controls, and the development of a more robust data protection framework. These actions not only strengthened compliance with relevant regulations but also bolstered stakeholders’ confidence in NIMC’s commitment to safeguarding personal and sensitive information.
• Increased Awareness and Enforcement of NIN Usage: The DG’s tenure has seen aggressive campaigns to raise public awareness on the importance of the NIN as a foundational ID for accessing government services. She also worked with other government stakeholders to strengthen the enforcement of the mandatory use of NIN across various sectors, enhancing the credibility and utility of the National Identity Database (NIDB).

These efforts have greatly increased the public and private sector’s reliance on NIN for identity verification, positioning it as a central element in Nigeria’s national security and financial systems.

Staff Capacity Building: A specialised training program was designed to enhance staff expertise in network and operational security. Key elements include: Comprehensive understanding of security principles and practices. Designing secure network architectures. Reviewing and improving current network security policies. Using open-source tools for network monitoring and triaging. The training equips IT professionals, network administrators, and security personnel to safeguard organizational assets, prevent breaches, and respond effectively to security incidents.

Deployment of enforcement teams: NIMC, along with security agents, shut down unauthorized cybercafes and agents operating without proper licenses.

Improved data security: Key initiatives such as the Key Life Cycle Management System (KLMS) are set to further strengthen NIMC’s defense against data breaches and identity fraud.

Maintenance of ISO 27001: 2022 Certification: Under the leadership of the DG/CEO, the organization successfully maintained its ISO 27001:2022 certification. This achievement reflects the sustained commitment to international standards of information security management. The ongoing compliance ensures that the organization’s information security management system (ISMS) remains robust and capable of addressing current and emerging threats.

Payment of outstanding monies: Settling the backlog of outstanding payments to FEPs has improved trust and cooperation between NIMC and its partners.

VPN Security Enhancements for Enrollment Services: To enhance the security of VPN connections to enrollment software. several measures were implemented across the VPN workflow.

Capacity Building and Training of Staff on Compliance to ISO 27001: 2022 Standard: Recognizing the importance of a well informed workforce, the DG/CEO spearheaded comprehensive training programs for staff across all levels. These programs were designed to enhance the understanding of ISO 27001:2022 requirements and ensure that employees are equipped to implement and maintain the standards protocols. This proactive approach will significantly increase the organizations overall security awareness and operational efficiency.

Engagement of Cybersecurity Experts and Consultants to Assess and Improve NIMC’s Security Posture: To ensure that the organization’s security measures are both effective and upto date, the DG/CEO engaged leading cybersecurity experts and consultants. These professionals conducted thorough assessments of the existing security infrastructure, identifying areas for improvement and recommending advanced strategies. The implementation of their recommendations has signicantly enhanced the organizations overall security posture, making it more resilient to cyber threats.

Collaborations with Organizations to Improve NIMC’s Cybersecurity Posture: The DG/CEO has actively pursued partnerships with security agencies and other stakeholders, recognizing the value of collaboration in enhancing the organization’s cybersecurity posture. These collaborations have led to the sharing of best practices, joint initiatives to combat cyber threats, and improved threat intelligence. As a result, the organization is better equipped to defend against sophisticated cyber attacks and ensure the integrity of its systems.

Impact These efforts have significantly reduced fraudulent activities and improved the security of the National Identity Database, bolstering public con dence. These achievements highlight the DG/CEO’s strategic focus on security, compliance, and capacity building, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of information security and data protection standards.