The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) has indicated interest to partner with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in order to expand digital identity enrolment among Nigerian youths and improve access to opportunities in the country’s digital economy.
This was disclosed when the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, received the NIMC director-general, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, who paid the former a courtesy visit on Friday.
Olawande said the collaboration supported President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting digital inclusion, youth empowerment and innovation.
He also hailed the enactment of the NIMC Act 2026, describing it as “a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity system and aligning it with global standards.”
The minister said a trusted National Identification Number (NIN) had become essential for accessing government services, including education, employment, healthcare, financial services and entrepreneurship support.
He said both institutions would work together to increase NIN enrolment among youths, promote digital identity awareness and integrate digital identity into youth-focused programmes nationwide.
Representing the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Omolara Esan, said digital identity was “key tool for youth empowerment and socio-economic inclusion.”
In her remarks, Coker-Odusote said the NIMC Act 2026 has repositioned the commission as Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure institution.
She noted that NIMC is developing a secure digital identity ecosystem and establishing Nigeria’s Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to support trusted digital authentication and secure electronic transactions.