By Lemmy Ughegbe, Ph.D
When Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote assumed office as Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in August 2023, Nigeria’s identity management system stood at a crossroads. Long saddled with operational challenges, low public confidence, and systemic inefficiencies, the Commission was overdue for bold and visionary leadership. In just two years, Dr. Coker-Odusote has not only transformed the image and output of NIMC but also redefined the value of identity as a tool for inclusion, development, and national security.
Her emergence signalled a shift — from a sluggish institution weighed down by bureaucracy, to a proactive, digitally responsive and citizen-centred Commission. Her leadership has delivered outstanding results and reset public perception, proving that purposeful governance can indeed produce profound impact.
The most immediately visible transformation under her leadership is the massive leap in National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment. In her first year alone, over 13 million new Nigerians were enrolled into the national database — a feat that pushed total enrolments to nearly 120 million. This milestone wasn’t achieved by chance. It was the result of targeted strategy and execution: the deployment of over 800 mobile enrolment devices, the expansion of diaspora enrolment centres, and the rollout of self-service mobile and web applications, all designed to ease access, reduce wait times, and bring the service closer to the people. For many Nigerians, especially those in remote or previously neglected areas, this marked their first tangible experience with a responsive government service.
This surge in numbers was not merely quantitative but deeply symbolic. It demonstrated NIMC’s growing capacity to bridge the gap between the formal state and the average Nigerian, to close the identity divide, and ensure that no one is left behind in the nation’s development journey. At its heart, the expansion of the NIN enrolment infrastructure was a declaration: every Nigerian matters.
Innovation has been at the core of Dr. Coker-Odusote’s approach. One of the flagship developments was the relaunch of the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC), now embedded with applets that allow cardholders to make secure payments, access social services, and manage transactions. This innovation represents a leap toward a future where identity is not just a static document but an enabler of digital citizenship. The introduction of the NIMC Mobile Wallet ID is equally groundbreaking — providing Nigerians with a digital identity they can access on the go, compatible with smartphones and increasingly relevant in our fast-evolving digital economy.
Through these innovations, NIMC under her watch has not only enhanced functionality but also reimagined identity as a platform for economic empowerment and inclusion. From ATM access to online verification and cross-sectoral applications, identity has become a dynamic key to opportunity. These systems also lay the groundwork for a more integrated and efficient governance ecosystem, where identity unlocks access to everything from healthcare to education, financial services, travel, and more.
One of the most transformative aspects of Dr. Coker-Odusote’s tenure is the strategic shift in the relevance of the NIN. No longer a bureaucratic exercise, the NIN has become a central feature of national social and economic policy. It is now required for accessing student loans through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), for receiving palliatives, and for registering under various federal and state social intervention programmes. This convergence of identity and social development means the NIN is now an indispensable tool for reaching and empowering the poor, the vulnerable, and the underserved. It ensures that state resources and opportunities are more efficiently and equitably distributed.
At the institutional level, her leadership has driven long-overdue data harmonisation efforts. The integration of NIMC’s database with those of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), among others, represents a watershed moment in inter-agency cooperation. The implications for smart governance are immense — streamlined services, faster verification, improved tax collection, better academic and employment records, and enhanced national planning capabilities.
While building systems, she has also safeguarded them. Security of citizen data has remained a cardinal focus, especially as identity fraud continues to evolve globally. Under her leadership, the Commission has launched an aggressive crackdown on fraud and impersonation. Working with law enforcement agencies, NIMC successfully apprehended over 30 fake enrolment agents, dismantled criminal syndicates, and shut down numerous phishing websites targeting innocent Nigerians. The Commission’s cybersecurity framework has been significantly upgraded, with improved VPN protocols and system audits. Importantly, NIMC has maintained its ISO 27001:2022 certification — a globally recognised standard for information security management. This affirms Nigeria’s commitment to global best practices in data protection and privacy.
Internally, Dr. Coker-Odusote has led one of the most sweeping reforms in NIMC’s history. More than 1,300 staff were promoted strictly based on merit, breaking the cycle of stagnation and boosting staff morale. Departments were restructured to enhance service delivery, customer service operations were upgraded, and weekend services introduced for increased access. Staff capacity-building was prioritised, with training in digital tools, security, and professional development. Initiatives around wellness, sports, and workplace culture have created a healthier, more motivated workforce — better equipped to serve the Nigerian people with empathy and efficiency.
A critical success factor has been the strategic revamp of NIMC’s public image. Through an improved communication and media strategy, the Commission has engaged the public consistently and effectively. Its presence on traditional and digital media has grown exponentially, with social media engagement rising by more than 80%. Townhall-style forums, targeted radio and TV campaigns, and local language sensitisation efforts have helped demystify the enrolment process and increase public trust.
These gains have been amplified through strategic partnerships with state governments, ministries, and international development agencies. Whether through joint enrolment drives, identity verification in social programmes, or integration with the health insurance and energy sectors, NIMC has positioned itself as a critical player in Nigeria’s national development matrix. These collaborations have expanded the reach and relevance of identity in real-world applications, proving that NIMC is not just about records — it is about results.
Beyond statistics and reforms, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has achieved something far more significant — she has restored belief. Belief that public institutions can work. Belief that leadership can be visionary, ethical, and effective. Belief that a system designed to serve all Nigerians can be made inclusive, innovative, and efficient.
The story of NIMC’s transformation under her guidance is more than an institutional success; it is a national milestone. It is a story of leadership that listens, responds, innovates, and delivers. It is proof that the future of identity in Nigeria can be secure, inclusive, and empowering — and that the foundation for that future is already being laid.
As the journey continues, one thing is clear: identity in Nigeria is no longer a forgotten promise. Under Dr. Coker-Odusote’s watch, it is fast becoming a national asset, a tool of empowerment, and a beacon of progress.
Lemmy Ughegbe, Ph.D, ANIPR, a strategic and development communication expert writes from Abuja
Email: lemmyughegbeofficial@gmail.com
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