NIMC Seeks NUJ Oyo Partnership to Boost NIN Enrollment, Digital Identity Awareness
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Oyo State Office, has sought a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, to accelerate National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment and promote digital identity awareness across the state.
Speaking during a visit to the NUJ leadership, the representative of the commission said the partnership became necessary following the signing of the new NIMC Act by President Bola Tinubu, which has expanded the commission’s responsibilities beyond identity enrollment.
According to the commission, the new law positions NIMC as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure, making the NIN a critical requirement for accessing a wide range of government and private sector services.
The official explained that under the new framework, the NIN would increasingly serve as a key to accessing essential services, including government interventions, banking transactions above specified thresholds, education, healthcare and security-related services.
NIMC disclosed that more than five million residents have so far been enrolled in Oyo State but noted that over four million people are yet to obtain their NIN.
The commission stressed that bridging the enrollment gap would require collaboration with stakeholders, particularly the media, which it described as the most trusted voice across communities in the state.
It therefore urged the NUJ Oyo State Council to serve as its official media and advocacy partner in the statewide enrollment campaign.
According to the commission, the partnership would not only help drive awareness but would also ensure that NUJ members benefit from opportunities in training, employment, access to NIMC programmes and institutional recognition.
NIMC said the collaboration is aimed at enrolling an additional four million residents while educating the state’s estimated nine million population on the importance of the NIN as a gateway to digital inclusion and access to services.
The commission expressed optimism that with the support of the media, Oyo State could emerge as Nigeria’s leading state in digital identity enrollment and awareness.
