NIMC tasks FEPs on professional conduct

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has urged Front-End Partners (PEFs) to refrain from corrupt practices or any infractions, warning that those found guilty would face consequences without leniency.

NIMC’s Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, gave the warning at a four-day training session for recently revalidated Front-End Partners (FEPs) in Abuja.

The Director-General assured the participants that the revalidation process was a strategic management decision aimed at streamlining and enhancing the enrolment process, noting  that the decision would facilitate a thorough audit of the invoices inherited by her administration, specifically addressing the outstanding debts owed to the FEPs.

Coker-Odusote said the initiative aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the financial transactions related to enrolment activities.

“On assumption of office, we observed countless infractions and unwholesome practices in the NIN enrolment and modification services. Most of the reports of infraction, upon investigation, were done by some of our Front-End Partners.

“I am not exonerating NIMC staff completely but as you may be aware, on different occasions, I led sting operations to some of our offices, where some staff were caught red handed perpetrating unwholesome conducts.

“Don’t forget that I inherited huge debts owed FEPs for over two years. Some of the invoices and claims were questionable, requiring proper auditing. The rot in the process and system left me with no option but to take deliberate steps toward sanitising the enrolment process.

“And to this end, I directed that NIN enrolment activities at all FEP centres be suspended temporarily, pending the outcome of a revalidation exercise.” She said.

Also Read: NIMC issues new guidelines for date of birth modification

The suspension of the third-party service forms part of a broader revalidation exercise aimed at sanitising the enrolment process and addressing outstanding debts owed to these third-party agents.

Coker-Odusote emphasised that the initiative was not targeted at any specific group but is a necessary step towards ensuring data integrity within the country’s identity database.

She emphasized that the revalidation process is unfolding in stages, clarifying that this is merely the initial phase and not the concluding one.

The Director-General reaffirmed that National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment is free-of-cost and underscored the commission’s unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption.

In response to the development, representatives from the recently revalidated Front-End Partners, including Haruna Abdu of MURNA Foundation, Osah Uche Prince of GOMFID Mutiservices, and Stellamaris Oseruo of JOREAL Nigeria Limited, individually expressed their appreciation for the proactive measures taken by the new NIMC management to enhance the integrity of the system.

The PEFs, who described the revalidation process as transparent, urged the commission to bolster its monitoring procedures to eliminate potential loopholes and prevent exploitation during the enrollment exercise.