Vice President Kashim Shettima has hailed the Tinubu administration’s overhaul of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem, describing the ongoing reforms led by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as “unrivalled” and key to building a secure digital economy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described Nigeria’s ongoing digital identity transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “unrivalled,” praising reforms introduced by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as a major step towards modernising governance and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving a delegation from NIMC led by its Director-General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote. The Vice President attributed the progress to sweeping reforms, including the enactment of the NIMC Act 2026, which he said has repositioned the commission as the foundation of Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure.
Shettima Praises NIMC Reforms
According to the Vice President, the ongoing reforms have transformed NIMC from being merely a custodian of identity records into Nigeria’s foundational digital identity authority.
He said the reforms would accelerate the country’s transition from paper-based public administration to secure digital governance, enabling more efficient public service delivery and stronger protection of citizens’ digital identities.
Shettima also commended the leadership of NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, describing her stewardship of the commission as “unprecedented” and urging the agency’s management to sustain the momentum through innovation and technology-driven solutions.
NIMC Highlights Impact of New Law
During the meeting, Coker-Odusote said the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 establishes the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s single source of truth for identity verification.
She explained that the legislation strengthens the commission’s legal mandate, enhances digital trust and lays the foundation for a secure Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) capable of supporting government services, financial inclusion and private-sector innovation.
According to the NIMC boss, the reforms are expected to improve identity verification across sectors while reducing fraud and enhancing the efficiency of public institutions.
Digital Identity Central to Renewed Hope Agenda
The Vice President said digital identity reforms remain an important component of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that a credible national identity system is essential for economic planning, social intervention programmes, financial inclusion and national security.
He encouraged NIMC to continue adopting innovative technologies that would support Nigeria’s digital transformation and improve citizens’ access to government services.
President Tinubu recently signed the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 into law, replacing the previous legal framework governing Nigeria’s digital identity system.
Government officials say the legislation expands NIMC’s powers, strengthens data protection, establishes a national digital identity architecture and positions the commission as the country’s Root Certification Authority for secure digital identity management.