Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has joined senior government officials who welcomed President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, during their historic state visit to the United Kingdom at the personal invitation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Beyond the ceremonial significance, the visit offered a strategic platform for Nigeria to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital transformation, identity management, and innovation.
For NIMC, the engagement presents a key opportunity to advance the diaspora National Identification Number, NIN enrollment initiative, ensuring that Nigerians living abroad are fully integrated into the national identity ecosystem.
Speaking on the sidelines of the visit, Engr. Coker-Odusote reaffirmed NIMC’s commitment to expanding NIN enrollment access globally.
“The UK hosts one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the world,” she said, emphasizing the need for more enrollment centers, improved service delivery, and seamless digital processes. “Nigerians abroad deserve nothing less than efficient, timely, and accessible identity services.”
Enhanced NIN services in the UK will enable Nigerian residents to obtain their NIN and related services without delays, access essential government and private-sector services, and participate fully in Nigeria’s growing digital economy, regardless of their location.
At home, NIMC is simultaneously rolling out its ward-level enrollment strategy, a grassroots initiative aimed at delivering identity services directly to rural and underserved communities.
By reducing travel distances and eliminating unnecessary barriers, the Commission is ensuring that all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, can access identity services conveniently.
This dual-track approach, scaling diaspora enrollment while intensifying local registration—reflects NIMC’s commitment to inclusive identity management.
It aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of leveraging digital identity as a catalyst for economic growth, social protection, and efficient governance.
The visit to the United Kingdom not only reinforces Nigeria’s diplomatic and innovation agenda but also highlights the critical role of identity infrastructure in connecting citizens worldwide to opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
