The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abia State, has taken its National Identification Number (NIN) enlightenment campaign to major streets and open spaces across the state, urging Nigerians to obtain and properly use their national identity credentials as a gateway to essential services and participation in the digital economy.

The campaign formed part of activities marking the 2026 National Identity Day, celebrated on Wednesday, September 16, with the theme, “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem — Powering Africa’s Digital Economy.”
Speaking shortly after the exercise, the NIMC State Coordinator in Abia, Mr. King Ukpabi said the campaign was designed to sensitise citizens to the importance of national identity and promote greater awareness of the benefits of obtaining the NIN.

Sir King Ukpabi said the initiative was aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which seeks to provide legal identity for all, including birth registration, by 2030.

He noted that Nigeria had demonstrated its commitment to the global identity agenda by designating September 16 as National Identity Day, stressing that a functional identity system was essential to effective national planning, inclusion and good governance.

According to him, the NIN plays a significant role in national development by helping government plan effectively and ensuring that citizens are appropriately captured for access to government services, social interventions and other opportunities.

He further encouraged Nigerians to obtain their NIN, noting that having a verifiable national identity could facilitate access to essential government services, palliatives and employment opportunities.

Delivering the keynote address at the Identity Day event, Lady Gloria Abiakam Ify, Chairman of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE), Abia State, and Federal Head, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, described identity as the foundation of Nigeria’s digital future and a critical infrastructure for economic and social development.

Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem — Powering Africa’s Digital Economy,” Abiakam said the significance of identity had gone beyond possession of an identity number or document, stressing that a trusted digital identity could connect citizens to opportunities, services and economic participation.
She explained that reliable digital identity systems could facilitate access to financial services, healthcare, education, employment and government programmes while supporting a more efficient and accountable public sector.

According to her, “identity is infrastructure,” just as roads connect communities and electricity powers industries, because a trusted identity system connects citizens to services and opportunities.
She said Nigeria was already experiencing rapid digital transformation, with businesses, financial services, government operations, education, healthcare, transportation and commerce increasingly adopting digital platforms.

However, she cautioned that technology alone could not guarantee inclusion, stressing that the success of digital transformation should ultimately be measured by how many Nigerians were able to benefit from it.
Lady Abiakam called for a digital public ecosystem that was accessible, secure, trusted and citizen-centred, stressing the need for identity, payments, social protection, taxation, business registration, healthcare, education and other public services to increasingly work together securely and efficiently.

She said such integration would reduce duplication, improve efficiency and make government services more responsive, noting that citizens should not be subjected to unnecessary repetition in proving their identity where government systems could securely verify the information.

The Federal Information Head, however, identified digital exclusion, inadequate connectivity, low digital literacy, cybersecurity threats, identity theft, fraud and data privacy concerns as some of the challenges that must be addressed as Nigeria expands its digital ecosystem.
She stressed that security must go hand-in-hand with innovation, urging government institutions, technology companies and service providers to uphold strong standards of data protection, cybersecurity, authentication and responsible data governance.

Abiakam also linked digital inclusion to economic empowerment, particularly for Nigeria’s youthful population, noting that technology, creative industries, e-commerce, fintech, agriculture, education and professional services offered significant opportunities for economic participation.
She urged the government, private sector, technology companies, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, innovators and development partners to deepen collaboration in developing digital solutions that address Nigeria’s specific needs.
She equally charged young Nigerians to see themselves not merely as users of technology but as builders of the digital economy, urging them to use technology to solve problems, create jobs, build businesses and contribute to Africa’s digital transformation.

She said the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation had an important role in ensuring that digital transformation did not remain a conversation limited to experts and institutions, but was communicated in clear and accessible language to citizens across communities, schools, markets, workplaces and rural areas.
“Identity is more than a number. It represents recognition, belonging, access, dignity and opportunity,” Abiakam said, adding that a trusted identity could become the gateway through which millions of Nigerians participate in the formal economy and access essential services.

She urged stakeholders to build a digital Nigeria that leaves no one behind, where identity opens doors rather than creates barriers, technology makes government services faster and more transparent, and citizens can trust systems holding their personal information.

Also speaking, the Head of ICT and Technical Services, NIMC, Abia State, Mr. Nathaniel Nwamu, encouraged members of the public to download the NIMC NINAuth application, describing it as a useful tool for identity verification and authentication as well as facilitating registration and access to identity-related services.
The officials reiterated the importance of a trusted national identity ecosystem to Nigeria’s development, inclusion, effective governance and growing digital economy.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chima Otti, OFR, has called for stronger collaboration among the state government, federal tertiary hospitals and other medical institutions to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and advance the proposed Abia Medical City.

Governor Otti made the call in Umuahia while receiving members of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, who were in Abia for their 115th quarterly meeting.

Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Governor welcomed the medical leaders to the state and described their decision to hold the meeting in Abia as a vote of confidence in the transformation taking place across the state.

He said the quarterly meeting provided a valuable opportunity for medical directors to benchmark best practices, share experiences and collectively address the challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Otti said his administration was deliberately changing the narrative about Abia by creating an environment that promotes investment, innovation, knowledge exchange and healthcare partnerships.

According to him, the administration recognises healthcare as fundamental to human dignity and economic development, noting that the state has consistently allocated 15 per cent of its annual budget to the sector.

He said the government had recruited hundreds of healthcare professionals and continued the revitalisation and functionalisation of primary healthcare centres across the state through Project Ekwueme and other interventions.

The Governor added that the administration was restructuring and upgrading specialist and tertiary healthcare institutions, including the Abia State Specialist Hospital, Amachara Specialist Hospital and Omo-Na-Nta Specialist Hospital.

He further stated that the government was embracing technology and innovation to expand access to healthcare and improve the delivery of medical services.

Otti noted that recent federal health performance data had placed Abia among the better-performing states in maternal and infant healthcare outcomes. However, he stressed that his administration was not satisfied with merely improving on the state’s previous performance.

“Our ambition is to build a healthcare system that can compete with the best anywhere in Africa and internationally,” he said.

The Governor disclosed that the state was also pursuing strategic partnerships with medical institutions, development partners, professional bodies, diaspora organisations and private investors.

He cited the proposed partnership with an Egyptian pharmaceutical company seeking to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Abia, saying the investment would boost local pharmaceutical production, create employment, stimulate economic activity and facilitate technology transfer.

Otti appealed to the visiting CMDs and MDs to partner with the state government in actualising the vision of the Abia Medical City.

He explained that the Medical City would extend beyond the construction of hospitals to create an integrated healthcare ecosystem comprising tertiary and specialist medical services, medical education, research, diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical technology, accommodation and other allied services.

He said the expertise, professional networks and institutional knowledge of the medical leaders would be invaluable to the successful implementation of the ambitious project.

The Governor also encouraged stronger collaboration between federal teaching hospitals and healthcare institutions in Abia, urging the medical leaders to explore the opportunities available in the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, Prof. Saad Ahmed, said the committee chose Abia as the venue for its 115th meeting to enable members to assess developments in the state and examine the performance of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

Prof. Ahmed, who led approximately 85 CMDs and MDs to the state, said the committee holds quarterly meetings in different parts of the country to enable federal tertiary hospitals to benchmark their activities, exchange best practices, identify challenges and develop strategies for improving healthcare delivery.

He said the choice of Abia also provided members with an opportunity to observe the state’s ongoing development initiatives and learn from its approach to governance and community development.

The committee chairman commended the Abia State Government for its achievements in the health sector, particularly the upgrading of primary healthcare centres and general hospitals, recruitment of essential healthcare workers, expansion of the health insurance scheme and improvements in emergency and ambulance services.

He also praised the collaboration between the state government and the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, describing it as an example of effective cooperation between federal and state institutions in improving healthcare delivery.

Prof. Ahmed said members of the committee were impressed by the transformation they witnessed in Abia, including improvements in road infrastructure and other essential social services.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Prof. Onyebuchi Azubuike, said the meeting was designed to enable members to assess the host hospital, identify areas requiring improvement, exchange ideas and replicate successful practices across federal tertiary hospitals.

He said FMC Umuahia was partnering with the Abia State Government across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare to ensure that residents have access to reliable, high-quality healthcare services.

Azubuike disclosed that the Abia State Government was constructing a 20-room VIP ward at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, describing the project as a significant intervention that would improve clinical practice and enhance patient care.

He also commended Governor Otti for his prompt intervention following the breakdown of the hospital’s two oxygen plants, noting that the Governor responded swiftly to the hospital’s request for assistance.

The CMD expressed appreciation to the Governor, Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Commissioner for Health and other officials for their continued support for the FMC and the state’s healthcare sector.

The 115th quarterly meeting is expected to produce a communique outlining key challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem, recommendations and possible solutions for presentation to relevant authorities for consideration and implementation.

Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent office of the Deputy Governor.
09/09/2026

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its determined commitment to national unity, inclusion and equitable development, declaring that the South-East remains a critical partner in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, FNIPR, gave the assurance while addressing journalists at a press briefing in Umuahia, Abia State, following the South-East Regional Security Summit held.

The Minister said the Tinubu administration is deliberately strengthening engagement with the South-East through sustained dialogue, strategic investments and inclusive governance aimed at fostering national cohesion and ensuring that every Nigerian enjoys equal opportunities regardless of region.

According to him, the South-East Regional Security Summit, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Defence and hosted by the Abia State Government, brought together government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, professionals, youth groups and political stakeholders to fashion lasting solutions to the region’s security challenges.
He described the summit as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s readiness to listen to citizens, engage communities and develop solutions that reflect local realities.
“The message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is clear. Every Nigerian, irrespective of location, has the right to live, work and pursue prosperity in a safe and secure environment,” the Minister stated.
Mohammed Idris stressed that security remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda but noted that sustainable peace goes beyond military action. He explained that the administration is combining improved security operations with economic empowerment, infrastructure renewal, human capital development and social inclusion to guarantee lasting stability.

He disclosed that President Tinubu has continued to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through enhanced support for security agencies, improved operational capacity, intelligence coordination and stronger collaboration among federal, state and community stakeholders.
Responding to questions on allegations of marginalisation of the South-East, the Minister dismissed the perception, insisting that the President has demonstrated an inclusive approach through strategic appointments, infrastructure development and targeted investments across the region.
He cited the appointment of Senator Dave Umahi as Minister of Works, the execution of massive federal road projects linking states and cities, the establishment of one of Nigeria’s three world-class Cancer Centres in Enugu and the inclusion of the South-East in the Federal Government’s rollout of 1,000 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide as clear evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region.
“The stability of the South-East is critical to Nigeria’s overall progress. The perception of exclusion is not the reality. President Tinubu is committed to ensuring that every region benefits from the dividends of democracy,” he said.

The Minister maintained that no resources due to states are being withheld by the Federal Government, advising state governments to undertake proper needs assessments and prioritise projects that directly improve the welfare of their people, while assuring that the Federal Government remains ready to support developmental initiatives across the federation.

He further disclosed that the Federal Government would continue its engagement with South-East stakeholders, noting that the administration is not shying away from addressing genuine concerns and agitations through constructive dialogue.
On concerns over the nation’s borrowing profile, Mohammed Idris defended the administration’s economic reforms, stating that the impact is evident in ongoing infrastructure projects, increased allocations to states and programmes designed to stimulate economic growth, support small businesses, provide student financing, expand consumer credit and strengthen social protection.
The Minister also highlighted the role of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) in promoting financial transparency, combating criminal financial transactions and expanding social inclusion.
He added that the Federal Government has intensified the fight against banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality through the deployment of sophisticated technology and intelligence-driven operations, while emphasising that feedback obtained from citizens continues to shape government policies and interventions.
Mohammed Idris reaffirmed that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to building a Nigeria where every region can realise its full potential, saying that peace in the South-East would attract greater investment, create jobs, strengthen businesses and further advance the nation’s collective aspiration for unity, security and sustainable development.