The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has lauded the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) for its strategic role in driving public awareness of the National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment process.
During a courtesy visit by ACOE leadership to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the DG emphasized that the media partnership is vital to fulfilling the agency’s constitutional mandate of registering all Nigerians to improve federal service delivery.
Strengthening Grassroots Enrollment
Represented by the Director of Human Capital Management, Mrs. Rhoda Jackden, the DG announced that NIMC has pivoted its focus toward ward-level enrollment. This initiative, which commenced on February 16, 2026, aims to ensure that citizens in underserved areas can easily access registration services.
”Having a NIN is now essential for accessing government services,” Jackden stated on behalf of the DG. “With the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are working closely with front-end partners to ensure every Nigerian is accounted for in preparation for the issuance of the general multipurpose card.”
Operational Reforms and Staff Welfare
The commission also highlighted significant internal improvements aimed at boosting productivity and transparency:
- Capacity Building: Over 3,700 staff members across various levels received professional training in the past year.
- Infrastructure Update: Deployment of 800 new mobile enrollment devices and 2,500 modern systems to enhance operational efficiency.
- Ethics and Integrity: Operational reforms have led to a 40% reduction in reports of extortion and unauthorized fees at enrollment centers.
- Welfare Packages: Implementation of a 25–30% salary increase, the promotion of over 3,000 staff, and the introduction of staff bus services and food assistance programs.
ACOE Pledges Support Against Misinformation
Earlier, the Chairman of ACOE, Sola Akingboye, expressed confidence in Engr. Coker-Odusote’s leadership, noting that NIN enrollments have now exceeded 120 million Nigerians. He specifically praised the resolution of a two-year backlog of payments owed to Front-End Partners (FEPs), which he said has rejuvenated service delivery nationwide.
Akingboye reaffirmed the association’s commitment to ethical journalism, stating that online editors are ready to convert technical reforms into accessible narratives that foster public trust.
”We strive to counter misinformation through fact-based digital narratives,” Akingboye remarked. He further requested regular media engagements and guided tours of NIMC facilities to ensure transparent and accurate reporting of the commission’s milestones.
The visit concluded with the presentation of the ACOE official muffler to the Director General, a symbol of the association’s “affection and inclusion” for individuals who have made significant contributions to national data collection.