The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have agreed to strengthen collaboration aimed at improving the credibility, security and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process through a more robust digital identity framework.
The renewed partnership follows the signing of the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 26, replacing the commission’s previous legal framework.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed the development during a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, where she briefed the commission’s Chairman, Joash Amupitan, on the provisions of the new legislation.
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Coker-Odusote said the new Act marks a shift in the commission’s mandate by replacing the law enacted in 2007 and positioning NIMC as Nigeria’s central authority for digital identity management.
She explained that the legislation empowers the commission to oversee the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Root Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which are expected to strengthen secure digital transactions, identity authentication and electronic verification across public and private institutions.
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According to her, the reforms are intended to accelerate the growth of the digital economy, improve access to government services, reduce identity-related fraud and provide a more reliable system for identity verification.
She noted that the commission remains committed to working closely with INEC to support the conduct of credible, transparent and peaceful elections through secure identity management.
Responding, Amupitan welcomed the NIMC delegation and described the enactment of the new law as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s electoral and digital governance systems.
He said the reforms would enhance collaboration between both agencies and improve the integrity of voter registration and identity verification processes.
Under the provisions of the 2026 Act, the National Identification Number (NIN) is recognised as a statutory requirement for voter registration, further integrating Nigeria’s national identity database with the electoral register.
The legislation also expands NIMC’s governing board to include representatives from 14 federal institutions, including INEC, alongside agencies in the security and financial sectors, to facilitate greater inter-agency cooperation.
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Both organisations expressed optimism that the strengthened partnership would help eliminate multiple voter registrations, curb identity-related electoral fraud and reinforce public confidence in future elections.
