INEC, NIMC Strengthen Collaboration On Digital Identity, Voter Verification

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have pledged to deepen collaboration on digital identity management and voter verification to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), made the commitment on Wednesday while receiving the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan said the signing of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive to build a more secure, transparent and technology-driven electoral system.

He noted that the new law would expand opportunities for collaboration between both agencies, particularly in voter registration, digital identity verification and the elimination of duplicate records from the voter register.

According to him, INEC’s newly introduced online Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) platform already requires prospective voters to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) for identity verification.

He said stronger integration between the two agencies would simplify voter registration while enhancing the credibility and transparency of elections.

“As we move from the era of technology into the era of artificial intelligence, it is imperative that we work together to establish the necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure the integrity, security and credibility of our data systems,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman described the new NIMC Act as landmark legislation that transforms the identity management agency from a registration body into a sovereign digital identity authority capable of supporting governance, commerce, land administration and other critical sectors.

He also commended Coker-Odusote for what he described as the remarkable progress recorded under her leadership, saying NIMC has become a key driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Earlier, the NIMC Director-General said the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 26, 2026, represents a historic transformation of the Commission after nearly two decades of reforms.

She explained that the legislation elevates NIMC from being the custodian of Nigeria’s identity database to the country’s foundational digital identity authority and the home of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Root Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

According to her, the new framework provides the digital trust architecture required for secure transactions, governance and identity management across the country.

Coker-Odusote said the reforms would strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, reduce identity-related fraud, simplify access to government and private sector services, and improve electoral integrity through stronger identity verification systems.

“NIMC is ready to support INEC in delivering free, fair and transparent elections because identity remains the foundation of effective governance and credible electoral processes,” she said.

Also speaking, NIMC’s Director of Strategy and Programme Office, Dr. Alba Nkoku, said the new Act repositions the Commission as Nigeria’s national digital trust anchor.

He explained that the legislation establishes the legal framework for digital public infrastructure, strengthens Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, promotes secure digital transactions and introduces digital identity credentials beyond the conventional identity card system.

Both agencies expressed optimism that closer collaboration on digital identity and voter verification would strengthen Nigeria’s digital governance architecture and boost public confidence in future elections.