The Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet) has called for urgent multi-stakeholder intervention to address mounting infrastructure and operational challenges affecting the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment exercise in Anambra State.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the call followed an advocacy visit led by its Chairman, Prince Chris Azor, to the Anambra State office of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Awka.
The visit came shortly after a civil society coalition engagement in Lagos under the ID4D Initiative in collaboration with NIMC. ACSONet said its engagement in Awka was designed to obtain first-hand updates on the six-week ward-level enrollment exercise, understand how it is being implemented, identify practical bottlenecks, and explore how civil society can support broader and more inclusive access to the NIN across communities.
Receiving the delegation, the Anambra State Coordinator of NIMC, Mrs. Maureen Abazu, disclosed that the ward-level enrollment exercise commenced on February 16, 2026, and primarily targets fresh registrations, especially for residents aged 16 years and above.
She explained that the exercise aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is aimed at expanding identity coverage at the grassroots level.
Abazu acknowledged that previous enrollment exercises failed to effectively reach underserved local government areas such as Ayamelum and Anambra West due to poor network connectivity, lack of electricity, and difficult road access.
“As a result, residents from those areas were directed to the state office in Awka for registration a move that significantly limited participation, particularly among vulnerable populations”.
The coordinator noted that the state office operates with Front End Partners under a World Bank-supported framework and collaborated with the National Orientation Agency to drive public sensitization ahead of the exercise.
She welcomed ACSONet’s involvement, describing civil society as a vital partner in community mobilization and public accountability.
Clarifying enrollment procedures, Abazu explained that children under 16 years must present a parent’s NIN to be registered. Upon turning 16, they are required to migrate to adult enrollment status.
She stressed that a NIN is issued once and remains unchanged for life. “While certain personal details — such as date of birth, phone number, address, and name arrangement can be corrected, the NIN itself does not change,” she said.
According to her, corrections require a Remita payment receipt, a sworn affidavit, a police extract for phone number changes, a utility bill for address verification, and a recommendation letter from a traditional ruler or President General.
Abazu emphasized the need for accuracy during biometric capture and warned against allowing anyone to thumbprint on behalf of another person, describing such practices as illegal and capable of compromising the integrity of the national database.
Responding, Prince Azor underscored the urgency of addressing the operational challenges confronting the NIMC office, pledging to engage the Anambra State Governor to seek immediate infrastructure support, particularly the installation of the existing transformer and improvement of overall facility conditions.
ACSONet also announced plans to engage the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Local Government Council Chairmen, the State Traditional Rulers Council, Presidents General of communities, and philanthropists within the state to mobilize support for equipment and logistics.
Describing the ward-level enrollment as a critical step toward expanding identity coverage, ACSONet maintained that bridging funding, infrastructure, and equipment gaps is essential to ensuring residents across Anambra State can access enrollment services in a timely and dignified manner.
The network pledged sustained engagement to strengthen identity access, transparency, and accountability in the state.
A facility tour conducted during the visit revealed serious operational constraints that could undermine the smooth implementation of the enrollment exercise.
The NIMC office currently lacks mobilization funds for 2026 activities while there is acute shortage of functional laptops and desktop systems, with some requiring urgent upgrades.
More critically, the office is not connected to the national grid despite the availability of a transformer provided during the previous administration but yet to be installed.
While the general condition of the office environment also raised concerns, the civil society network warned that such deficiencies could erode trust in an institution whose mandate is central to accessing government programmes, financial inclusion initiatives, and other essential services.
