In a renewed bid to increase the enrollment of residents in the National Identity Number (NIN) program, the Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government has partnered with the Ministry of Local Government, Community, and Chieftaincy Affairs. This partnership aims to address the state’s low participation in the NIN registration, particularly in rural areas.
The collaboration was officially announced during a courtesy visit by Dr. Chimezie Amadi, Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, to his counterpart, Hon. Ruby Emele. Dr. Amadi revealed that the upcoming Imo Digital Identity Project is designed to register a larger portion of the state’s population, with a focus on rural communities. “Imo currently has the lowest NIN enrollment among the five eastern states, with only about 1.5 million out of 5 million residents registered, and 80 percent of these registrations are from urban areas,” Dr. Amadi noted.
He further emphasized the critical role the NIN plays in accessing federal social investment programs, which are essential for transparency and accountability. Many of these programs target low-income and vulnerable groups, and without proper registration, Imo residents risk missing out on significant opportunities.
“Our visionary Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, recognized the state’s potential financial losses due to under-enrollment and initiated the Imo Digital Identity Project to ensure our residents can fully benefit from federal loans and social investments,” Dr. Amadi added.
The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which has already trained field officers for deployment across the state’s local government areas. These officers, sourced from the local communities they serve, will conduct registration exercises at accessible locations like town halls, markets, and traditional rulers’ palaces. The project aims to increase NIN enrollment from the current 22 percent to 70 percent within six months.
Dr. Amadi called on the Ministry of Local Government, Community, and Chieftaincy Affairs to facilitate engagement with the chairmen and council leaders of Imo’s 27 local government areas, ensuring their cooperation in extending the registration drive to every corner of the state.
In her response, Hon. Ruby Emele expressed full support for the initiative, stating that it aligns with her ministry’s mission to uplift rural communities. “Rural areas require more attention, and we are eager to collaborate with your ministry to achieve this shared objective for the betterment of Imo State,” Emele stated. She assured that local government chairmen and community leaders would be fully briefed and mobilized to ensure the success of the registration campaign.
This collaboration between the two ministries is expected to bridge the gap in NIN enrollment across the state, particularly in remote areas. By integrating more residents into the digital ecosystem, the project will enable broader access to government services through digital platforms, fostering inclusivity and driving national development.
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