The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is deepening collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to redefine what it means to be Nigerian, beyond just numbers and fingerprints.
During a courtesy visit to the NOA Headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, welcomed the NIMC DG, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her team, applauding the Commission’s critical role in building a reliable and inclusive national identity system.
He noted that in today’s Nigeria, biometric verification underpins nearly all official processes, making NIMC’s work central to national development.
Issa-Onilu emphasised the shared responsibilities of both agencies in shaping national identity—NIMC through data, and NOA through values. While NIMC offers the physical and digital identity, NOA focuses on the emotional, psychological, and civic side of being Nigerian.
He said NOA’s Nigeria Identity Project is aimed at defining a true sense of belonging, purpose, and patriotism. “To build genuine patriotism, we must move beyond asking what citizens can do for the country, and start building trust around what the government is doing for its people,” he noted.
He added that NOA has rolled out various digital platforms and mobile apps to connect with citizens, especially young Nigerians, ensuring government policies and national values are effectively communicated.
In her remarks, NIMC Director General, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted NIMC’s innovations, including the 11-digit NIN, the digital ID wallet, and expanded access to identification services across the country. She stressed the importance of ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially in rural areas, and that identity outreach must speak the language of the people.
The visit signals a stronger alliance between NOA and NIMC to build a more secure, inclusive, and value-driven identity system—one that speaks to both the body and the soul of Nigeria.
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola
