By NewsNexus Media

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has called for stronger collaboration with the Taraba State Government to expand access to digital identity services across the state, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by the Taraba State Coordinator, made the call during a sensitisation and courtesy visit to the Taraba State Government as part of activities marking the 2026 Identification for Development (ID4D) Celebration.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of Governor Agbu Kefas, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Kataps Ngwii, commended NIMC for its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity system and improve access to reliable identity services.

Chief Kataps, however, expressed concern over the limited number of NIMC enrolment centres in Taraba, noting that the state’s vast geographical spread and dispersed communities make wider access to registration services necessary.

He called for the establishment of additional enrolment points and stronger cooperation between NIMC and the state government to enable more residents, especially those in rural areas, to obtain their National Identification Number (NIN) with greater ease.

The SSG reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to support NIMC’s operations in Taraba, stressing that digital identity is critical to effective governance, development planning, service delivery and access to government programmes.

Speaking on behalf of the NIMC Director-General, the State Coordinator said the Commission remained committed to developing a secure, accurate, inclusive and trusted identity ecosystem in Nigeria.

She said the theme of the 2026 ID4D celebration, “Building a Trusted Digital Nigeria,” underscores the importance of digital identity to the country’s digital transformation.

According to her, a reliable digital identity system enables citizens to access government and other digital services with confidence, while ensuring that their identities are properly recognised and personal information protected.

She described the NIN as a critical component of Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure and an important tool for effective governance and service delivery.

The NIMC DG also commended the Taraba State Government for its continued support and cooperation with the Commission, particularly the institutional support provided by the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of the Civil Service.

She stressed that building a trusted digital Nigeria must also be inclusive, noting that no citizen should be excluded from essential identity services because of geographical location, economic circumstances or limited access to technology.

The Commission therefore called for sustained cooperation between federal and state institutions to strengthen identity management and ensure that digital identity improves access to opportunities and government services for Nigerians.