NIMC Launches New Service Charter, Targets 30% Faster Service Delivery in 12 Months

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to improve its service delivery by 30% within the next year through the introduction of its newly launched Service Charter.

The official launch took place in Abuja on Tuesday, where the Commission outlined strategic goals to enhance the speed, accessibility, and efficiency of Nigeria’s identity management system.

Commitment to Faster Identity Services

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by the Director of the Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit, Mr. Elias Okafor, reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to reducing waiting times for enrolment and National Identification Number (NIN) issuance by at least 30% in the next 12 months.

“The charter is anchored on four key principles, including efficiency, with a target to reduce average waiting times for enrolment and card issuance by at least 30% within the next 12 months,” Coker-Odusote said.

She emphasised that the NIMC is determined to deliver a more user-friendly and efficient identity service to Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.

Significant Progress Already Achieved

In the past two years, NIMC has made remarkable strides in identity management:

49% increase in NIN enrolments nationwide.
Deployment of over 6,000 functional enrolment centres, including rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Digital process optimisation, significantly reducing enrolment-to-NIN issuance timelines.
Real-time integration with more than 40 partner agencies, such as banks, telecom providers, immigration services, and pension administrators.

Despite these achievements, Coker-Odusote admitted there is still work to be done to make the process more consistent and citizen-friendly.

New Measures in the NIMC Service Charter

The NIMC Service Charter comes with several innovative measures designed to boost transparency and efficiency, including:

Quarterly performance scorecards tracking enrolment statistics, processing times, and service centre ratings.
Annual customer service and ethics training for all NIMC staff to maintain professionalism.
Toll-free hotline for customer enquiries.
Service Feedback Portal and in-centre kiosks to handle complaints within 10 working days.

These mechanisms aim to make NIMC’s operations more accountable to Nigerians, ensuring that citizens can track the Commission’s progress and hold it to its commitments.

Alignment with National Digital Goals

The initiative is closely tied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Digital Economy Policy, which aim to modernise public services through technology.

Coker-Odusote called on both the public and private sectors to collaborate with NIMC to improve infrastructure, fund innovations, and build an identity management system that truly reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.

Stakeholders Praise the Initiative

Mr. Anthony Oshin, Acting National Coordinator of SERVICOM, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration that made the Service Charter a reality. Represented by Mrs. Ngozi Akinbodewa, Oshin noted that the document — developed over three years — will serve as a critical guide for NIMC staff in delivering on service promises.

He stressed the importance of continuous performance monitoring to ensure the public enjoys tangible benefits from the reforms.

Why This Matters to Nigerians

The Service Charter promises shorter queues, faster processing times, and greater transparency — key factors that will directly impact millions of Nigerians who rely on NIN for:

Opening bank accounts
Registering SIM cards
Applying for passports and visas
Accessing government services

For citizens in rural areas, the expansion of functional enrolment centres means easier access to identity services without costly travel to urban centres.

Quick Links for Nigerians:

With the launch of this Service Charter, NIMC has set a bold pace for identity management in Nigeria — a move that could redefine the citizen experience in accessing essential public services.

Punch

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