Bisoye Coker-Odusote, acting director-general of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has advised Nigerians not to engage third-party services for their National Identification Numbers (NIN).  She also said they should not offer bribes to NIMC officials to expedite NIN registration or modifications. Coker-Odusote noted the importance of adhering to proper procedures established by NIMC. She said the commission is committed to ensuring that all registration processes are carried out seamlessly and in accordance with existing laws and regulations. “We have a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the NIN modification process and to protect the rights of every Nigerian citizen,” she said. “Engaging third-party services or paying bribes compromises this process and is against the law.” She urged Nigerians to resist any extortion attempt, adding that the call for transparency and compliance aligns with the federal government’s anti-corruption campaign. “National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has zero tolerance for corruption,” she said. “We are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity in our operations. “All complaints should be sent to [email protected]. “We encourage the public to report any unethical practices they encounter during the NIN modification process.” She also reiterated the commission’s dedication to maintaining the security and credibility of the NIN system while safeguarding the interests of Nigerians. In 2021, TheCable carried out an investigation that detailed how the NIN enrollment process had become a means of extorting Nigerians. From N500 to fill out a form to N8,000 for biometrics, Nigerians were made to pay for NIN enrollment which was meant to be free at first registration. The warning by Coker-Odusote came after another investigation by TheCable showed that some NIMC officials were still taking advantage of lapses associated with processing to extort Nigerians.

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