By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have strengthened their collaboration to improve the integrity of Nigeria’s voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both agencies pledging to leverage the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 to tackle identity fraud and enhance electoral credibility.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this while receiving the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Amupitan described the NIMC Act 2026 as a landmark legal framework that would transform Nigeria’s electoral process by strengthening identity verification, eliminating duplicate records and improving data integrity.
According to him, the new law marks NIMC’s evolution into a sovereign digital authority capable of supporting governance, commerce, land administration and election management through a trusted digital identity system.
The INEC Chairman acknowledged longstanding challenges with voter identity, including impersonation, duplication and identity theft, expressing confidence that deeper integration with NIMC’s database of over 136 million enrolled Nigerians would enable continuous verification and gradual removal of duplicate, underage and deceased persons from the voter register.
He also revealed that INEC’s online voter registration platform is now anchored on the National Identification Number (NIN), describing it as a critical step towards a more seamless Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process.
Amupitan further noted that, in line with Section 18 of the Electoral Act, eligible voters whose Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are lost, damaged or defaced can obtain replacements, including printable PVCs where requests are made at least 90 days before an election.
He disclosed that records of Nigerians who died as far back as 2011 still exist in the voter register, stressing that collaboration with NIMC would help the Commission progressively clean up the database, reduce election costs and improve planning through a more accurate register.
The INEC Chairman also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in election management, saying the technology must be deployed within strict safeguards to protect the integrity of electoral data.
He commended the leadership of NIMC for driving the passage of the NIMC Act 2026, adding that technical teams from both agencies have already commenced work on implementing areas of collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, NIMC Director-General Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote informed the INEC leadership that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law on June 26, 2026, after nearly two decades of legislative reforms.
She explained that the Act repositions NIMC as Nigeria’s root authority for Public Key Infrastructure and the custodian of the country’s digital public infrastructure, describing identity management as fundamental to good governance and credible elections.
Coker-Odusote assured INEC of NIMC’s full support in delivering transparent, credible and inclusive elections in 2027.
Also during the visit, NIMC’s Director of the Strategic Programme Office, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, briefed the INEC management on the expanded responsibilities and powers conferred on the Commission by the new law.
The meeting was attended by National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, directors, technical aides and management officials of both INEC and NIMC.
Plateau SANs Congratulate INEC Chairman
Meanwhile, Prof. Amupitan has reaffirmed that INEC remains focused on preparations for the 2027 general elections while concluding arrangements for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The INEC Chairman made the remarks while receiving a delegation of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) from Plateau State, led by Pius A. Akubo (SAN), who visited him in Abuja to congratulate him on his appointment.
He appealed to Nigerians, particularly members of the legal profession, to continue supporting and praying for the Commission as it discharges its constitutional responsibilities.
Amupitan also commended National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, directors and technical aides for their dedication, describing them as the “generals” behind the Commission’s successes.
Presenting a congratulatory message on behalf of the delegation, Akubo described Amupitan’s appointment as a significant milestone for Plateau State, the North-Central region and Nigeria’s democracy, while praying for wisdom and divine guidance as he leads the electoral body.
In his response, the INEC Chairman thanked the delegation for the visit, recalling his professional roots in Plateau State and paying tribute to departed senior advocates from the state for their contributions to the legal profession.
