NIMC Cuts 107 Partners Over Extortion, Boosts NIN Registrations

When Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director‑General and Chief Executive Officer of National Identity Management Commission, announced the termination of 107 front‑end partners on July 19, 2025, Nigerians finally saw a concrete step against the extortion that had plagued the National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment process.

The press briefing took place at the commission’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State during the closing session of a two‑day workshop hosted by the commission and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers. Representatives from the media, civil society and security agencies were on hand, underscoring how the identity ecosystem has become a national priority.

Background: A Seven‑Year Crackdown on Racketeering

Since its inception, the NIN system has been a gateway to public services, banking, and social welfare. Yet, for years, applicants reported being forced to pay unofficial fees ranging from N15,000 to N50,000 for falsified date‑of‑birth changes or “fast‑track” enrollments. Internal surveys from Q4 2022 indicated that about 68 % of applicants had encountered such demands.

Since taking office in March 2023, Coker‑Odusote’s administration has pursued a multi‑pronged reform: tightening partner contracts, digitising all modification services, and launching a zero‑tolerance policy for corrupt practices. The latest figures show a 40.2 % drop in reported extortion incidents, a measurable win after seven years of endemic abuse.

Workshop Highlights and Fee Revisions

The workshop, formally titled National Identity Management Commission Workshop on Digital Identity GovernanceAlausa, Ikeja, featured several key announcements:

• Standardised fees: N28,574 for date‑of‑birth corrections (up from N16,340 in May 2025), N20,000 for expedited enrolment at exclusive lounges, and N3,500 for NIN slip re‑issuance.
• New complaint channels: toll‑free numbers +234‑9‑134959433 and 08155015388, plus email addresses [email protected] and [email protected].
• Immediate termination of any partner caught extorting, with referrals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution.

"Enrolment for the National Identification Number remains free," Coker‑Odusote stressed, "but we have to be crystal clear about the legitimate fees that cover operational costs."

Speaking on behalf of the commission, Lanre Yusuf, Director of Information Technology and Identity Database, added that the new self‑service portal – selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng – “ensures every data change is logged, auditable, and free from human interference. No physical modification is allowed, period.”

Enforcement Actions and Partnerships

Following a September 6, 2025 report by Nairametrics alleging that agents in Abuja were collecting cash for illegal date‑of‑birth changes, the commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, issued a clarifying statement: "All NIN data modifications are done online through the official portal. We have no agents for physical changes, and any violation will be met with strict sanctions."

In practical terms, the commission has already sent termination notices to 107 front‑end partners (FEPs) that were found charging illicit fees. The EFCC and Nigeria Police Force have been tasked with tracking any staff or partner who continues to extort applicants, with penalties ranging from contract cancellation to criminal prosecution.

Impact on Registrations: Numbers Tell the Story

According to the latest NIMC statistics, the total number of Nigerians who now hold a NIN has swelled to 122 million, a 49.3 % increase from the 72.7 million recorded in January 2022. That translates to an additional 49.3 million citizens gaining formal recognition and access to services such as banking, health insurance, and government programs.

Analysts note that the surge reflects both the removal of financial barriers and a growing public trust in the commission’s reforms. "When people see that the system is transparent, they’re more likely to enrol," observed Dr. Adaeze Okonkwo, senior fellow at the Institute for Governance Studies.

Future Plans: Biometric Verification Nationwide

Looking ahead, Coker‑Odusote outlined a roadmap to install biometric verification equipment at all 6,200 enrolment points across Nigeria by the second quarter of 2026. This move is expected to slash fraudulent registrations dramatically and streamline identity verification for government services.

“Our goal is a unified, people‑centred digital identity that powers financial inclusion and social protection,” she said, adding that media partners will play a crucial role in combating misinformation and educating the public about their rights.

Key Takeaways

• 107 illegal front‑end partners terminated for extortion.
• Official fees standardised; enrolment remains free.
• Complaints can be logged via phone, email, or online portal.
• Registrations up to 122 million, a 49 % jump since 2022.
• Biometric rollout to cover all enrolment centres by Q2 2026.