Youth Development Ministry, NIMC Strengthen Partnership to Expand Digital Identity Access for Nigerian Youths
By Sarah Kitka
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at ensuring every young Nigerian has access to a secure and trusted digital identity, opening up greater opportunities in the country’s growing digital economy.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her delegation to the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Comrade Olawande described the visit as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through digital inclusion, youth empowerment, innovation and national development.
The Minister congratulated the NIMC leadership on the successful enactment of the NIMC Act, 2026, describing it as a landmark legislation that strengthens Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and aligns the country’s identity management framework with global best practices.
He noted that the Act provides a solid legal framework for building a secure, inclusive and globally competitive digital identity system capable of driving socio-economic development.
According to him, Nigerian youths, who make up the country’s largest digital population, stand to benefit significantly from a trusted National Identification Number (NIN), which provides access to education, employment, entrepreneurship support, healthcare, financial services and other government interventions.
The Minister also commended the Act’s emphasis on the inclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly youths in rural and underserved communities, while stressing that the “One Person, One Identity” policy would enhance transparency, eliminate duplication, reduce fraud and ensure government benefits reach their intended beneficiaries.
He identified key areas of collaboration between both institutions to include expanding NIN enrolment among young Nigerians, promoting digital identity awareness and literacy, facilitating nationwide youth registration, and integrating digital identity into youth-focused programmes.
“The Federal Ministry of Youth Development remains committed to working closely with NIMC to ensure no young Nigerian is left behind in the country’s digital transformation journey,” the Minister said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, represented by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Omolara Esan, described digital identity as a critical tool for youth empowerment, innovation and socio-economic inclusion.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustained collaboration with NIMC to ensure young Nigerians, especially those in rural and underserved communities, benefit from digital identity initiatives.
In her remarks, NIMC Director-General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the enactment of the NIMC Act, 2026, has repositioned the Commission as Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure institution.
She disclosed that the Commission is establishing Nigeria’s Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which will provide secure digital authentication and support trusted electronic transactions across the country.
According to her, the visit was aimed at deepening the existing partnership between NIMC and the Ministry to develop practical initiatives that would deliver measurable benefits for Nigerian youths.
She added that NIMC remains committed to leveraging one of Africa’s largest identity databases to support Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and expand opportunities for young people through a secure and credible identity system.
