The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deepen its collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to eliminate duplicate voter records and strengthen identity verification ahead of the 2027 general elections. The initiative is aimed at improving the credibility, transparency, and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this while receiving the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He described the recently signed National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026 as a major milestone that creates new opportunities for collaboration between both agencies.
According to Amupitan, the partnership will focus on voter registration, digital identity verification, and the elimination of duplicate voter records. He noted that INEC’s online Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) platform already requires applicants to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) for identity verification, adding that closer integration with NIMC will further enhance the accuracy and integrity of the national voters’ register.
The INEC chairman also stressed the need to strengthen safeguards as Nigeria increasingly adopts digital technologies and artificial intelligence in governance. He said both institutions must work together to ensure the security, integrity, and credibility of national data systems, particularly those relating to elections and identity management.
NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the NIMC Act, 2026, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, transforms the commission into Nigeria’s foundational digital identity authority. She explained that the new legal framework is designed to support secure digital identity verification while enhancing governance, public service delivery, and the integrity of electoral processes across the country.
