Digital Infrastructure To Enhance Transparency In Administration-NIMC

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

The Director General of National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote has disclosed that digital identity infrastructure will enable the government agencies to foster greater transparency in public administration, build more reliable databases and improve service delivery.

She stated this when she led a delegation of NIMC management on a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development headquarters in Abuja.

Coker-Odusote noted that the newly enacted NIMC Act had positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.

She informed that deeper integration of identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, enhance regulatory compliance, and strengthen security and law enforcement.

The DG pointed out that the initiative would also improve the monitoring of operators and provide stronger support for the implementation of Community Development Agreements, CDAs, in mining host communities.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake was optimistic that the partnership with NIMC will help in tracking operations in the solid minerals sector.

He revealed that the ministry and NIMC are partnering to promote digital identity in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, adding that the collaboration was aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing security and accelerating reforms across the sector.

The minister informed that without proper identification, tracing and tracking operations would be difficult, creating an environment in which insecurity can thrive.

“In the solid minerals sector, we need effective tracking of both legal and illegal operations. A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” he added.

He maintained that technology, statistics, data gathering and digital identity were critical enablers for evidence-based policymaking, improved regulatory oversight, efficient licensing, investment promotion and national development.

Alake said that the ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector required robust collaboration with institutions such as NIMC to strengthen transparency and accountability across the mining value chain.

He described the commission as pivotal in Nigeria’s development architecture, saying that effective governance is impossible without a credible identity management system.

The Minister noted that technology and reliable data had become indispensable tools for planning, regulation, investment and national security.

He said: “NIMC occupies a critical position in translating policy into reality. It is pivotal to the development of any nation because governance today is driven by data, technology and credible identity systems.

Both parties expressed commitment to strengthen collaboration through technology-driven initiatives to support the ministry’s ongoing reforms, as the partnership will also improve governance, reinforce security, and contribute to sustainable development in Nigeria’s mining sector.

The meeting also highlighted the significance of the recently signed NIMC Act, 2026, which provides a stronger legal framework for Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem. It is also expected to strengthen law enforcement, promote transparency and accountability and lay a solid foundation for a modern digital economy.