National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has settled long-standing financial obligations to its Front-End Partners (FEPs), fully compensating them for their contributions to the enrolment of Nigerians and the generation of National Identification Numbers (NINs) for the National Identity Database (NIDB).
The head of the Corporate Communications Unit, NIMC, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, in a statement, on Friday, disclosed that the FEPs were initially engaged in 2021 under the previous administration to accelerate NIN enrolment. However, they were only paid for the first year of operations, leaving significant arrears unpaid.
Upon assuming office, NIMC’s director general/CEO, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, prioritised resolving the issue. She implemented a thorough revalidation process to ensure FEPs met international standards and ethical requirements. With funding support from the World Bank and the Identity for Development (ID4D) initiative, the Commission began clearing the outstanding debts.
“While the revalidation process ensured transparency and compliance, these payments were distinct from the World Bank-funded NIN enrolment project and were instead tied to an interim enrolment scheme approved by the former minister of Communications and Digital Economy,” the statement clarified.
MD/CEO of Knowledge Square Ltd., Phillip Adekunle, commended NIMC’s leadership, stating: “We deeply appreciate the efforts of Engr. Coker-Odusote and her team in addressing the backlog.
This decisive step builds trust and fosters stronger collaboration between NIMC and its partners.”
Similarly, MD of Real Positive Friends, Vincent Emiowele, described the payment as timely and a testament to the Commission’s commitment to its stakeholders.
Coker-Odusote expressed her gratitude to the FEPs and stakeholders for their contributions to developing a credible national identity system. She reaffirmed NIMC’s commitment to delivering a world-class identity management system and acknowledged the vital support provided by the World Bank and ID4D.
“This resolution represents a pivotal milestone in NIMC’s efforts to strengthen partnerships and enhance the efficiency of Nigeria’s identity management ecosystem,” the statement said.
