Against the backdrop, a two-day media round table was held in Lagos with the aim of building bridges between the identity ecosystem and the media.
It is the fifth of such roundtable organized by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the ID4D Project since 2024, with previous editions held in Lagos and Abuja respectively.
Delivering the keynote address, the Coordinator of the Project Implementation Unit, PIU, of the Nigeria Digital ID4D Project, Tito Ejenavi, emphasized the centrality of the media, particularly the digital press in advancing the goals of the national identity project and ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind.
“As someone who understands the transformative power of the media, it is a pleasure to address this gathering of esteemed digital media gatekeepers.
“You shape narratives, influence public conversations, and serve as the conscience of our democracy. Your role in countering misinformation and amplifying the truth is crucial to our collective mission,” Ejenavi stated.
The Nigeria Digital ID4D Project is a multi-donor initiative funded by the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, EIB, and the French Development Agency, AFD, aimed at increasing the number of Nigerians with a National Identity Number, NIN, by building an inclusive and robust foundational ID system.
Highlighting progress since the project’s activation in 2021, Mr. Ejenavi noted several key achievements:
Validation of critical inclusion frameworks, such as the National Inclusion Strategy and the Disability Enrolment Policy;
- Training and certification of over 7,100 Front-End Enrolment agents to expand outreach, especially in rural and underserved areas;
- Ongoing upgrades to the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), improvements to the billing system, and the development of a geospatial enrolment index to ensure equitable coverage;
- Revamp plans for the Data Recovery Centre (DRC) in Niger State;
- Introduction of the Modular Open System Integration Platform (MOSIP); and
- Preparations for the rollout of NIMS 2.0, the next-generation identity management infrastructure.
“Our efforts are not just about technology; they are about people,” she added. “From change management workshops to policy consultations and grievance redress mechanisms, we are equipping our team and our partners to better serve Nigerians.”
She praised the leadership of the Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, describing her as a visionary leader whose commitment has driven tangible results across the identity sector.
Ejenavi underscored the strategic importance of the digital media community in communicating the priorities of the national identity ecosystem. “You speak directly to millions of Nigerians. We urge you to continue telling the right stories, holding us accountable, and helping citizens understand the value of a secure and inclusive digital identity,” she added. .
With the growing relevance of digital identities in accessing government and financial services, the organisers say the workshop will help demystify key aspects of the enrolment process, address misinformation and empower media professionals to better inform the public.
