INEC Strengthens Collaboration with NIMC Following New Identity Management Legislation
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has renewed its commitment to enhancing collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) after the enactment of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026. This legislative development is seen as a significant step toward bolstering electoral integrity by enabling secure digital identity verification.
During a recent courtesy visit from NIMC’s Director General and CEO, Dr. Eng. Abisoye Coker Odusote, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ampitan (SAN) expressed the commission’s dedication to strengthening this partnership. The meeting took place at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja and underscored the importance of technological advancements in ensuring credible electoral processes.
A statement issued by the commission highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to enhance election credibility. Innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Certification System and the INEC Results Viewing Portal have been pivotal in ongoing electoral reforms aimed at building public confidence in the electoral system.
In his address, Prof. Ampitan reiterated the importance of collaboration between INEC and NIMC, emphasizing that this partnership would significantly improve the identification process, decrease electoral fraud, and facilitate free and fair elections.
Dr. Coker Odusote outlined the implications of the new NIMC Act, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 26, 2026. He described it as a transformative reform for the country’s identity management framework, one that elevates NIMC’s role from merely being a custodian of Nigeria’s identity database to serving as the foundational digital identity authority in the nation.
According to Dr. Coker Odusote, the new legislation also establishes Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Root Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), creating a robust digital trust framework that supports secure transactions and governance. He emphasized that these reforms aim to enhance Nigeria’s digital economy, reduce instances of fraud, simplify access to both public and private services, and improve the integrity of electoral processes through enhanced identity verification.
Dr. Coker Odusote expressed NIMC’s readiness to support INEC in facilitating transparent electoral practices, stressing the fundamental role of identity in effective governance and credible electoral outcomes. This collaboration aligns with the Nigerian government’s broader objective to advance digital governance and modernize public institutions through a cohesive identity management system.
With confidence in increased transparency and improved service delivery, officials believe that the strengthened partnership between NIMC and INEC will significantly enhance trust in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
