NIMC Staff ‘Caught Red-Handed Perpetrating Unwholesome Conducts’ – DG

The new Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has revealed that numerous infractions and unwholesome practices were discovered in the enrollment of Nigerians for National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment and modification processes.

Coker-Odusote said a substantial number of reported infractions were traced to the commission’s Front-End Partners (FEPs).

“On assumption of office, we observed countless infractions and unwholesome practices in the NIN enrolment and modification services. Most of the reports of infraction, upon investigation, were done by some of our Front-End Partners,” Coker stated in a statement by her Technical Adviser on Media and Communications, Ayodele Babalola.

The DG urged the FEPs to act as ambassadors of the commission and warned that any of them found engaged in unwholesome practices would not be spared.

While addressing the issue at a 4-day training for the first batch of newly revalidated Front-End Partners in Abuja, Coker-Odusote clarified that the revalidation aimed to sanitize the enrolment process and audit outstanding debts owed to the FEPs.

“I am not exonerating NIMC staff completely but as you may be aware, on different occasions, I led sting operations to some of our offices, where some staff were caught red-handed perpetrating unwholesome conduct.

“And don’t forget that I inherited huge debts owed FEPs for over two years. Some of the invoices and claims were questionable, requiring proper auditing.

“The rot in the process and system left me with no option but to take deliberate steps towards sanitizing the enrolment process.

“And to this end, I directed that NIN enrolment activities at all FEP centres be suspended temporarily, pending the outcome of a revalidation exercise.”

Coker-Odusote explained that the decision to revalidate all FEPs was not targeted at any specific group but rather aimed at ensuring the integrity of the country’s identity database and compliance with the highest standards of data security.

“My decision to direct the revalidation of all FEPs was not targeted at anyone or group. It was a step towards sanitizing the system and processes while ensuring the integrity of data in the country’s identity database. It was also one of the steps towards proper auditing of the claims made by some of our FEPs. The revalidation exercise was part of the steps towards ensuring compliance with the highest standards of data security among the FEPs.

“Please be advised that the revalidation exercise is being implemented in phases. This is just the first and not the last.

“Let me use this medium to remind you all that NIN enrolment is free of charge in Nigeria. My administration has zero tolerance for corruption. We shall therefore not spare anyone found perpetrating corrupt practices or any other form of infractions,” she said.

While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s support, the DG reassured the newly revalidated FEPs with a promise that they would be paid soon.

Representatives of the revalidated FEPs commended the NIMC management for its transparent revalidation process and urged strengthened monitoring to prevent loopholes in the enrollment exercise.