In a strategic move to deepen Nigeria’s digital identity coverage, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has launched a new initiative aimed at expanding National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment to every ward in the Federation.
This programme marks a critical step toward achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes widespread access to national identity registration for all Nigerians and legal residents.
Corps Members Trained to Lead Grassroots Identity Registration
To support this nationwide effort, selected Youth Corps members are currently undergoing intensive training to prepare them for deployment across the country’s 8,000+ political wards. These corps members will serve as front-line agents of NIN enrolment at the grassroots, targeting underserved and previously unreachable populations.
By integrating the energy and reach of the NYSC with NIMC’s infrastructure, the initiative aims to bring identity services closer to the people, especially in remote or rural areas.
Focus on Enrolling Children and Underserved Groups
A key emphasis of the ward enrolment rollout is on capturing data for children under the age of 16, a group often underrepresented in national databases. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take advantage of the proximity and convenience the ward-based enrolment will offer.
NIMC noted that while over 120 million Nigerians and legal residents have already been enrolled and issued NINs, the new initiative will help bridge the access gap, particularly in areas with limited digital infrastructure.
Leadership Commends National Support
The Director-General of NIMC, Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his continued support of the commission’s mission and identity development goals.
She also commended the contributions of the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, and the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, for their commitment to youth empowerment and national development through digital inclusion.
“This partnership aligns with our shared vision of ensuring every Nigerian is digitally included, especially those in hard-to-reach areas,” said Coker-Odusote.
A Step Toward Universal Digital Identity
This collaboration between NIMC and NYSC is not just about expanding access—it represents a milestone in digital governance and inclusive national development. With youth corps members now mobilized as digital identity ambassadors, the initiative is set to accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward universal NIN coverage and a more integrated national database.