As Nigeria ramps up efforts to scale National Identity Number (NIN) enrollment nationwide, the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC has reiterated its commitment to transparency and compliance through its network of Front End Partners, FEPs, who remain critical to the success of grassroots enrollment.
Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote stated this during an engagement session with the FEPs at the 2025 Management Retreat with the theme: “Leading with Purpose: Digital Transformation in Identity Management.”
Coker-Odusote emphasized the Commission’s robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure FEPs comply with federal standards. “We have frameworks for the FEPs,” she stated. “The License Assurance Framework guides their operations to ensure federal government rules are not flouted.”
She noted that FEPs, who are third-party service providers licensed by NIMC to support NIN enrollment, are now key players in the Commission’s strategy to decentralize identity registration across states, local governments and wards.
In response to previous issues of non-compliance, the DG/CEO noted that NIMC has implemented strict enforcement protocols. “Any FEP that flouts the federal government’s laws will be blacklisted and disconnected,” she warned. “We stand for transparency and accountability. We won’t allow anyone to tarnish our image.”
Coker-Odusote also acknowledged that delays in payments to FEPs had in the past led to some charging citizens illegally for services that are meant to be free. “We’ve cleared backlogs and issued a stern directive: enrollment is free. Any breach must be reported immediately,” she added.
According to her, beyond expanding enrollment access, the Commission is enhancing supervision using real-time digital tools.
“From our office, we can see what every FEP is doing, locally and in the diaspora. That’s the beauty of technology,” she said.
The DG/CEO noted that As NIMC deepens its collaboration with ministries, NYSC camps and market associations, FEPs will remain instrumental in rolling out mobile and ward-level registration units.
“Today’s session was about content patterns, the room was full. We are aligning every FEP with our new ward-level strategy,” she added.
