The Federal Government has approved the use of enrollment agents for the conduct of registration of National Identity Numbers (NIN) on behalf of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantimi) through a press release signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, explained that the licences agents had been approved after fulfilling all necessary conditions advertised in the Expression of Interest (EOI) done in 2019. The licensing of enrollment agents is in line with the Federal Government’s desire to speed up the registration and issuance of NIN to Nigerians and legal residents.

The National Digital Identity Ecosystem project goal is to take the number of enrollment centres from 1,000 to 10,000 and increase the number of enrolled citizens from 43 million to 200 million within the next five years. To achieve this feat, the NIMC is working with public and private sector partners, including State Governments, Local Governments, Public Institutions and qualified private vendors.

There main telecommunications services providers, MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat have been given licenses for the enrollment of NIN to individuals. Also, other public sector organisations such as the Military Pension Board, Corporate Affairs Commission, National Health Insurance Scheme, amongst other were also licensed. Seven Non Governmental Organizations were also approved as well as sixteen state governments including Lagos, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Ogun and Zamfara States were also approved.

The project aims to remove the problem associated with the registration of National Identity Number (NIN) and also improve the authentication of citizens. 

According to the statement, the approved agencies are to begin enrollment immediately.