NIMC charges FEPs for inclusion, Data Protection

NIMC charges FEPs for inclusion, Data Protection

The Director General and CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has charged the Commission’s Front End Enrolment Partners (FEPs) to ensure that no one is left out of the National Identity Number (NIN) registration process.

The NIMC Chief Executive handed the charge on Friday while addressing attendees at the Commission’s Management Retreat.

She also tasked them with complying with the terms of the Nigerian Data Protection Act.

She further advised enrollment agents and commission personnel to be professional when providing services to members of the public.

“Our mission at NIMC is clear: to equip each Nigerian and legal resident with a unique and secure National Identification Number (NIN). This number is the key to accessing critical services, social benefits, and economic prospects.

However, in order to accomplish this, we must ensure the integrity of our enrollment process.

“As FEPs, your involvement is crucial. You are the link between our citizens and the NIMC enrollment ecosystem. As you communicate with candidates, treat their information with care, accuracy, and thoroughness. Let us work together to protect our database from errors, fraud, and other threats to its integrity.

“While we welcome the expansion of our National Identity Database to over 104 million captured NINs, we cannot rest on our laurels. Millions more are waiting to be enrolled. They include students, farmers, businesspeople, and the elderly. They are the heartbeat of our country.

“Let us reach out to all parts of Nigeria, from booming cities to isolated villages. Allow us to collaborate with schools, hospitals, and community leaders. Let us ensure that no one is left behind, including the vulnerable, people with disabilities, those living in remote locations, and so on. Let us make the NIN enrollment process accessible, fast, and inclusive.”

Continuing, Coker-Odusote entrusted the FEPs with professional behaviour and excellent communication, citing these as vital to success.

“When an applicant enters an enrollment centre, they put their trust in us. They are certain that their personal information will be kept confidential, that their NIN will be secure, and that it will open opportunities for them. We must honour that confidence.”

In her presentation on NIMC Ecosystem Enrollment, the Commission’s Director of Business Development and Commercial Services, Mrs. Carolyn Folami, told the FEPs that the revalidation effort was intended to sanitise the system while correcting identified gaps.

She utilised the opportunity to announce the start of payment of the remaining arrears owing to the FEPs, assuring them of the commission’s commitment to settling the outstanding balance as soon as possible.

“So far, 96 FEPs have been revalidated. It is still under progress, and as more are revalidated, they will be onboarded. This month (February), we began paying the FEPs’ outstanding arrears in accordance with the DG/CEO’s earlier promise. We have now paid well over 15 companies and are attempting to clear the arrears. We’ve done some housekeeping. Currently, we are only working with Android smartphones”.

In other news, Front End Enrollment Partners (FEPs) of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have praised the government led by Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote for paying the outstanding arrears owed to them.

The FEPs addressed on Friday at the National Identity Management Commission’s Management Retreat, taking turns thanking the Commission’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, for the payment.

Speaking on the ongoing revalidation effort, the FEPs welcomed it as a step in the right direction, stating that it was intended to sanitise the system. One of the FEPs, Tunde Ogunmola, Partner, Jibyes Consulting, hailed Friday’s discussion with the Commission’s Director General as timely and powerful.

“We have been looking forward to our meeting with the DG/CEO of NIMC. It’s an opportunity to interact while increasing enrollment.” We need more of this type of interaction to improve performance.”

“The ongoing revalidation is an essential step to sanitise the system, as many things were not working properly prior to this point. I can certainly certify that payment has begun. Jibyes Consulting has received payment from the NIMC, and we are pleased.”

Chinaka Obi-Ezenwugo of Miandkay Enterprise emphasised that “revalidation helps NIMC separate the chaff from the wheat. It was an extremely clear process. I can also confirm that we’ve been paid. It’s a huge relief.”

The 5-day retreat, with the theme “NIMC’s 5-point Agenda on Strategy Development and Implementation,” was part of the process of obtaining stakeholder buy-in to the current administration’s initiatives while also seeking long-term answers to the Commission’s difficulties.

The retreat’s highlights included paper presentations, interactive meetings with the NIMC DG/CEO, breakout sessions, presentations on implementation updates, and team bonding exercises.