'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced the successful clearance of all outstanding payments owed to Front-End Partners (FEPs) for National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment activities that were completed and uploaded to the National Identity Database (NIDB).
In a statement issued today by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC clarified that the FEPs were contracted in 2021 during the tenure of the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to scale up NIN enrollment. However, payments for their services had only been made for the first year of operations.
Upon assuming office, the Director General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, prioritized resolving the outstanding payments as part of her reform agenda. A revalidation exercise was conducted to ensure that the FEPs adhered to international standards, compliance protocols, and ethical practices before the payments were processed.
Supported by the Identity for Development (ID4D) initiative and the World Bank, NIMC successfully disbursed the outstanding funds after completing the thorough evaluation process. Notably, these payments were separate from the World Bank-funded NIN enrollment project, as the FEPs’ activities from 2021 to 2024 were an interim measure authorized by the former Minister to address the delay in the commencement of the ID4D initiative.
The settlement of the outstanding payments has been widely praised by FEPs and stakeholders in the identity management ecosystem.
Phillip M. Adekunle, MD/CEO of Knowledge Square Ltd., lauded NIMC's decisive action, saying, *"This proactive effort not only fosters trust and accountability but also strengthens collaboration between NIMC and its partners."*
Similarly, Pastor Vincent Emiowele, MD of Slogani, commended the leadership of Engr. Coker-Odusote, stating, *"NIMC management, especially the DG/CEO, deserves commendation for the timely payment of all outstanding money owed to the FEPs. It is highly appreciated."*
The MD of Real Positive Friends echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the payment in reinforcing operational efficiency and partner welfare.
Engr. Coker-Odusote expressed her appreciation to the FEPs and NIMC stakeholders for their contributions to populating the NIDB. She reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to maintaining a credible, reliable, and globally recognized identity management system.
"We are committed to providing the necessary support to achieve a world-class identity database," she said, acknowledging the invaluable assistance of the World Bank and ID4D in the process.
With this development, NIMC has demonstrated its commitment to fostering trust, accountability, and excellence in Nigeria’s identity management sector, ensuring a seamless collaboration with its partners and stakeholders.
