INEC, NIMC Deepen Partnership to Strengthen Electoral Integrity Through Digital Identity

INEC, NIMC Deepen Partnership to Strengthen Electoral Integrity Through Digital Identity

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) following the enactment of the NIMC Act, 2026, describing the new legislation as a significant step toward enhancing the credibility, security and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), stated this 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.

Prof. Amupitan said the new law provides greater opportunities for collaboration between both institutions, particularly in voter registration, identity verification and the elimination of duplicate records.

Earlier, Engr. Coker-Odusote explained that the NIMC Act, 2026, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 26, 2026, represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem after nearly two decades of institutional reforms.

According to her, the legislation transforms NIMC from a conventional identity registration agency into Nigeria’s foundational digital identity authority, making it the custodian of the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Root Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which will provide the digital trust framework for secure governance and electronic transactions.

She noted that the reforms are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, reduce identity-related fraud, improve access to public and private services, and support credible elections through more robust identity verification systems.

“NIMC is fully prepared 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 during the engagement, NIMC’s Director of Strategy and Programme Office, Dr. Alba Nkoku, said the new legislation repositions the Commission as Nigeria’s national digital trust anchor by establishing the legal framework for digital public infrastructure, strengthening digital sovereignty and introducing secure digital identity credentials beyond the traditional national identity card.

Responding, the INEC Chairman described the amended Act as a landmark achievement that broadens NIMC’s mandate beyond identity registration to supporting governance, commerce, land administration and other strategic sectors of the economy.

He commended Engr. Coker-Odusote for the progress recorded under her leadership, describing NIMC as a critical driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

Prof. Amupitan disclosed that INEC’s newly introduced online Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) platform already requires applicants to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) for identity verification, adding that closer integration between both agencies would simplify voter registration while improving the integrity of the nation’s electoral register.

“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 that will ensure the integrity, security and credibility of our data systems,” he said.

The INEC Chairman expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between both agencies would reinforce Nigeria’s digital governance architecture and enhance public confidence in future elections.

INEC, NIMC Deepen Partnership to Strengthen Electoral Integrity Through Digital Identity