Imo launches new scheme to boost NIN enrolment

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Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Government has initiated a partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs to address the low uptake of the National Identity Number (NIN) in Imo State.

The collaboration was announced when the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi, visited his Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs counterpart, Ruby Emele, in her office.

During the meeting, Amadi explained that the coming Imo Digital Identity Project aims to register more residents across the state, particularly in rural areas, where enrolment remained low.

He said, “Imo currently has the lowest number of registered citizens with national identification Number (NIN) among the five eastern states. Out of the state’s five million residents, only about 1.5 million have been registered, with 80 per cent of those enrolled living in urban areas.”

According to Amadi, obtaining NIN is essential for citizens to benefit from the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), as it ensures greater transparency and accountability.

He highlighted that many of the initiatives introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration aim to support low-income and vulnerable populations.

Stressing that limited participation in the NIN registration process could hinder Imo residents from taking advantage of many opportunities, the commissioner added: “It is in response to these challenges and recognising the state’s financial losses by not fully leveraging federal loans and social investments that our visionary Governor Hope Uzodimma initiated the Imo Digital Identity project.”

The project will be executed in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which has already trained field officers for deployment in local councils.

The field officers, drawn from the communities they will serve, will conduct registration exercises in public spaces such as town halls, markets and palaces.

Amadi also requested support from the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs to facilitate meetings with the chairmen and leaders of the 27 local councils.

In response, Emele expressed her ministry’s readiness to collaborate on the project. She acknowledged that the initiative aligned with her ministry’s mission to empower rural communities.