The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has applauded the sweeping reforms at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), describing the agency as a model of innovation in digital identity management and public sector transformation.
Speaking during a meeting with the management of NIMC in Abuja, Walson-Jack commended the commission’s Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, for steering reforms that have repositioned the agency through improved human capital development, digital transformation and institutional excellence.
She particularly praised the successful implementation of the new NIMC Act and the approval of the commission’s long-awaited Scheme of Service, describing both as landmark achievements that would strengthen the agency’s operations and enhance service delivery.
“There is nothing like working with an obsolete law. It pulls you back. You can’t do the things you want to do. Kudos to you and your team. We are happy to have approved the Scheme of Service, and we believe it will add value to the civil service, the public service and especially to NIMC,” she said.
The Head of Service noted that NIMC’s five-point transformation agenda aligns closely with the Federal Government’s public service reform priorities, particularly in the areas of human capital development, technology-driven governance, staff capacity building and institutional efficiency.
“I am so excited to hear all that you are doing. The working tools, the training, the capacity building, the HR reforms—you have done remarkably well. I am also impressed that you found it necessary to engage retired Permanent Secretaries. Other agencies should emulate this approach,” Walson-Jack added.
She stressed that a robust national identity system is fundamental to effective governance and called for stronger collaboration between her office and NIMC to deepen digital identity integration across government institutions.
To strengthen the partnership, Walson-Jack nominated senior officials from both organisations to develop a framework for collaboration that will lead to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Responding, the Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, expressed appreciation to the Head of Service for approving the commission’s Scheme of Service, revealing that the proposal had remained unresolved since 2007.
“I have been requesting for this since 2007, and you are the Head of Service that approved it for us. Thank you so much. This aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s public service reforms,” she said.
Coker-Odusote explained that upon assuming office, the commission launched a comprehensive reform agenda anchored on five strategic pillars: human capital development, institutional excellence, technology-driven operations, global competitiveness and improved service delivery.
She said NIMC also adopted the Performance Management System introduced by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to strengthen accountability and improve staff productivity.
According to her, the commission inherited outdated manual appraisal processes, weak performance monitoring systems and poor alignment between staff performance and organisational objectives, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul of its human resource management framework.
The NIMC boss disclosed that the commission introduced its Employee Performance Management System in October 2025 through performance contracts signed with directors and heads of departments, supported by measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), quarterly assessments and technology-driven monitoring.
She added that more than 600 headquarters staff and nearly 4,000 personnel across over 200 enrolment centres nationwide have been trained under the initiative.
“Today, over 85 per cent of the implementation activities have been successfully completed, while our Human Resource Information System has automated appraisals, promotions, pensions and staff records,” she said.
Coker-Odusote maintained that NIMC’s transformation has demonstrated that effective leadership, technology and accountability remain critical drivers of sustainable public sector reforms.
She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s public service reform agenda and working closely with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service to strengthen identity integration and institutional development in line with the NIMC Act 2026.
