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Torkwase Nyiekaa
The operationalisation of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 has strengthened collaboration between the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Revenue Service (NRS) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), as the agencies move to deepen Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and improve public service delivery.
The renewed commitment emerged during separate visits by the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team to the headquarters of the National Revenue Service and the Bureau of Public Procurement in Abuja, where discussions centred on implementing the new legislation and expanding inter-agency cooperation.
Speaking during the engagements, Coker-Odusote said the visits formed part of the Commission’s nationwide stakeholder engagement aimed at familiarising key government institutions with the provisions of the newly enacted law and identifying opportunities for stronger collaboration.
She explained that the National Assembly repealed and re-enacted the NIMC Act, originally enacted in 2007, to provide a more robust legal framework capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
“Our law had not been updated in 19 years. Today, we have a modern legal framework that positions Nigeria for greater digital transformation,” she said.
The NIMC Director-General attributed the reform to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive to modernise outdated legislation across critical sectors of the economy.
“The President has shown commitment to strengthening laws that had remained outdated for decades, and that is transforming governance,” she added.
At the National Revenue Service, Coker-Odusote described the relationship between both institutions as strategic, stressing that an effective digital identity system remains fundamental to efficient tax administration, improved governance and seamless access to public services.
“NRS and NIMC will continue this collaboration to ensure every service requiring identity verification is anchored on digital trust for citizens,” she said.
Responding, Executive Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, commended NIMC for driving the implementation of the new Act, describing digital identity as critical national infrastructure for efficient revenue administration and effective public service delivery.
He noted that a credible identity management system would strengthen tax administration, improve transparency and enhance confidence in government institutions.
During a separate meeting with the Bureau of Public Procurement, Coker-Odusote said the new legislation had opened fresh opportunities for collaboration among government institutions, particularly in procurement, data integrity and digital governance.
“Now that we have an updated law, we can continue to strengthen collaboration and shape how government services are delivered through trusted identity,” she said.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, applauded NIMC for embarking on nationwide stakeholder engagement to sensitise Nigerians on the objectives of the new law.
“Please don’t stop. Whatever it costs you to visit every nook and corner of Nigeria, do it because Nigerians need to understand what this Act intends to achieve,” he said.
Adedokun observed that trusted digital identity had already transformed banking operations, strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s identity management system and simplified contractor verification, adding that broader adoption would improve investor confidence and make public procurement more transparent and efficient.
He also pledged the Bureau’s readiness to formalise its partnership with NIMC through a Memorandum of Understanding and deepen collaboration in data sharing, institutional support and performance monitoring.
“BPP is ready to collaborate, share data and do whatever is necessary to ensure this initiative succeeds because the ultimate beneficiary is the ordinary Nigerian,” he said.
The engagements underscore the Federal Government’s broader push to leverage digital identity as a foundation for governance reforms, revenue administration and public sector efficiency. With the new NIMC Act now in force, the Commission is expected to intensify collaboration with public institutions to strengthen identity verification, improve service delivery and support Nigeria’s digital economy aspirations.
