The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has pledged to resolve all outstanding payments for Front-End Partners (FEPs) dating back two years by the first quarter of 2024. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the acting Director-General, empathized with FEPs who have been operating without payment for an extended period.

Coker-Odusote clarified that a revalidation exercise uncovered discrepancies in the submitted invoices of FEPs, leading to a review for accurate enrollment information. She emphasized that NIMC, under her leadership, has conducted a comprehensive revalidation exercise to address the outstanding payments inherited by the new management.

During the exercise, it was discovered that some invoices did not align with the enrollment figures in the database, prompting the need for revalidation to confirm accurate enrollment information. Coker-Odusote assured that the audit process is nearing completion, and the activation of the FEPs will be based on the validation exercise’s outcomes.

Expressing sympathy for the delay, Coker-Odusote appealed for understanding, citing the new management’s recent assumption of duty and their efforts to settle all inherited debts. She explained that the previous management was unable to clear the dues due to financial constraints, but the current management is diligently seeking funds to settle the debt.

In addition to addressing the backlog, the NIMC aims to sanitize the system and ensure efficient and effective enrollment processes in line with international best practices for securing citizens’ data. The commission also disclosed plans for a stakeholders’ engagement summit scheduled for this month.

This commitment by the NIMC signifies a significant step towards resolving financial arrears and enhancing operational transparency within the organization, ultimately benefiting the FEPs and the citizens whose data is being managed.

The forthcoming stakeholders’ engagement summit is poised to foster collaboration and address pertinent issues, underscoring NIMC’s dedication to improving partnerships and service delivery. As NIMC progresses with its revalidation efforts and engages with stakeholders, the commission remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the highest standards of data management and operational integrity.