Reliable identity data is no longer just an administrative requirement, but a critical foundation for effective governance, evidence-based planning, social protection, economic empowerment and efficient delivery of public services.
This was observed by
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda during a courtesy visit to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, in Abuja.
He therefore sought deeper collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, to strengthen identity management in the state and integrate the Katsina State Identity Management System with the national identity architecture.
He explained that Katsina State is working to consolidate its identity management efforts into a more robust platform that will help government to better understand its population, identify vulnerable communities and ensure development programmes reach those they are meant for.
Governor Radda stressed the need to leverage NIMC’s technical expertise and national infrastructure to strengthen the state’s identity system to respond to Katsina’s specific needs.
He expressed concern that a significant percentage of citizens, especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas, are yet to be captured in the national identity system, and called for a coordinated approach to accelerate registration and close existing gaps.
The Governor said the proposed partnership will explore strategies for expanding registration points, improving public awareness, strengthening coordination with local structures, and deploying technology to make registration more accessible across the state.
Responding, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, welcomed the Katsina State Government’s initiative and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to partner with the state to expand coverage and build an integrated and inclusive identity system.
She assured that NIMC will provide the necessary technical support to achieve the objectives of the collaboration.
As an immediate outcome of the engagement, both parties agreed to establish a Technical Working Group, TWG, to develop the framework and draft Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the collaboration.
The Working Group will comprise representatives of the Directorate of Identity Management at NIMC, the State Lead Consultant, the Director-General of the Katsina Directorate of Information and Communication Technology, KATDICT, the Statistician-General of the State and the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board, KTDMB.
The Group is expected to review the existing identity architecture, identify areas for integration and improvement, and develop a clear framework for collaboration within eight weeks, leading to the review and signing of an MoU.
Governor Radda reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a data-driven and people-centred governance system where accurate information is used to make better decisions and ensure no citizen is left behind.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Special Adviser on Inter-governmental Relations, State Lead Consultant and Executive Secretary of KTDMB.
