The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said it has distributed more computers across its state centers to speed up the process of enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN).
The Commission disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday. The statement quoted the NIMC DG/CEO Engr. Abisoye Odusote- Coker, saying that the distribution of additional enrolment systems to all the states was part of steps to ease NIN enrolment challenges and increase operational capacity.
The impact
While noting that the systems have already been installed and positively impacting the enrollment exercise, NIMC said:
- “The systems have since been installed and in use across all the states and have not only resulted in the reduction of time spent by applicants but have also increased the number of applicants attended to daily.
- “Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote has also sent out monitoring and evaluation teams across various centers nationwide to ensure a smooth running of enrolment and modification exercises. The team will also ensure strict compliance with her zero-tolerance stance against all forms of extortion and unethical practices. Engr Coker-Odusote has emphasized that her administration will not condone extortion of applicants and has since directed that any staff found wanting will be dealt with in line with the provisions of the constitution and extant Public Service Rules.”
According to the statement, the DG also requested that any applicant extorted should report such incidents to NIMC’s official channels.
NIN database
With over 200 million population, the enrollments for the NIN stood at 104.16 million at the end of 2023, according to data released by NIMC. This shows that the NIN database has been growing but at a slow pace.
The NIMC data shows that a total of 10.13 million NINs were issued throughout last year. As of December 2022, the NIN database stood at 94.03 million.
Despite a World Bank target of 148 million by June 2024—less than six months from now—registration for the NIN has been slow.
However, with the recent appointment of a new Director-General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC said it has started working to accelerate the issuance of the digital identity token in line with the renewed hope mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
