The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is set to accelerate the enrollment of Nigerians into the National Identification Number (NIN) database by deploying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to communities nationwide.
In a new partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the NYSC, selected Corps members are currently undergoing intensive training to kick-start the Ward Enrollment Initiative, an ambitious nationwide campaign aimed at reaching underrepresented and remote areas.
According to Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the registration of all Nigerians and legal residents under the NIN system.
“This initiative aims to take NIN enrolment closer to the people, especially children under 16 years, by assigning trained Corps members to wards nationwide,” Adegoke stated.
So far, NIMC has issued NINs to over 120 million Nigerians, but the agency wants to push further to achieve 95% coverage by December 2025, according to Director General Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
“With this Ward Enrollment Exercise, we plan to capture at least 95% of Nigerians by year-end. This will significantly improve national planning, security, and access to government services,” the DG noted.
The initiative is backed by improvements in registration infrastructure, center expansion, and public sensitization campaigns. NIMC is urging Nigerians—particularly children and those in rural areas—to take advantage of the outreach and enroll in their local wards.
With Corps members set to serve as digital identity ambassadors, this partnership marks a major step toward inclusive, grassroots-driven national identity coverage.
