The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been designated as Nigeria’s certification authority for electronic signatures, a development aimed at improving the security of digital transactions and advancing the country’s digital transformation efforts.
NIMC Director-General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this in Abuja, saying recent legal reforms had expanded the commission’s responsibilities beyond identity management to include digital trust services and authentication.
She said the new mandate would establish a secure framework for electronic signatures, help prevent identity fraud, strengthen cybersecurity, and increase public confidence in online transactions.
Coker-Odusote described digital identity as a critical foundation for effective digital governance, warning that countries without reliable digital infrastructure risk challenges in service delivery, financial security, and inclusion.
According to her, a trusted digital identity system would improve access to government services, strengthen social intervention programmes, boost investor confidence, and assist security agencies in combating cybercrime and financial offences.
She called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, banks, telecommunications companies, and private-sector stakeholders, stressing that public trust would be central to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Speaking at the summit, President of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Dr Lare Emmanuel Ayoola, said broader adoption of digital solutions across government institutions would reduce delays in service delivery, while promoting efficiency and transparency.
The development is expected to play a key role in Nigeria’s transition towards a more secure and digitally driven economy.
