AUST,NIMC Seek Strategic Collaboration on Digital Identity
The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), are set to explore strategic collaboration in digital identity research, capacity development, and innovation.
The AUST President , Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS disclosed this during a partnership courtesy visit to the Director General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote in her office in Abuja recently.
Prof. Onwualu thanked the DG and the management of NIMC for the warm reception accorded him and his team noting that identity management has become fundamental to good governance, national security, financial inclusion, digital transformation, and evidence-based national planning.
He commended NIMC for its pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s development architecture.
The AUST boss, stressed that AUST’s institutional mandate is anchored on technology, innovation, business, and research excellence that directly respond to national and continental challenges. According to him, effective and sustainable digital systems require strong collaboration between universities and key public institutions such as NIMC.
According to him " this visit was not only a courtesy one but a deliberate step towards exploring structured collaboration. He identified several areas of potential partnership, including joint research, innovation, and development initiatives in biometrics, data security, digital identity systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, block chain technologies, and monitoring and evaluation"
He stressed the need for research-backed solutions that ensure data integrity, scalability, privacy, and public trust as identity systems become increasingly complex.
Prof. Onwualu proposed capacity development and executive training programmes as key areas of partnership highlighting AUST’s ability to support advanced technical training for NIMC personnel in emerging technologies, data analytics, systems optimisation, innovation management, leadership, and governance.
He also outlined opportunities for graduate research collaboration, where postgraduate students and faculty would work with NIMC teams on applied research projects aligned with the Commission’s strategic priorities. He noted that such projects could be co-designed to address real national challenges and produce outcomes capable of informing policy and improving service delivery. Proposed research areas include unique identification coverage and inclusion; data quality, integrity, and accuracy; privacy and data protection; interoperability of digital identity systems; identity security and fraud prevention; gender and social inclusion; cost-benefit and sustainability analysis; and legislative and policy framework evaluation.
Prof. Onwualu further highlighted the potential for innovation and technology incubation through AUST’s innovation hub, AUSTInspire. He described the hub as a dynamic platform that brings together students, researchers, technologists, and entrepreneurs to translate research ideas into practical solutions. He noted that NIMC could present priority problem statements aligned with its strategic objectives, which AUSTInspire teams could develop into pilot solutions under guided supervision.
Responding, the Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, thanked the AUST President for the visit and affirmed that research-driven decision-making remains a priority for the Commission.
She outlined NIMC’s existing research, strategy, and programme structures and expressed interest in collaborative research with AUST. While noting budget constraints related to executive training and the need to avoid duplication of institutional efforts, she welcomed partnerships that support innovation, evidence-based policy, and system strengthening.
Both institutions agreed to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to define priority research areas and implementation pathways. NIMC assigned leadership to coordinate the process, with an expectation that the MoU would be concluded within approximately two weeks, followed by a formal public engagement.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to building a mutually beneficial partnership that advances innovation, strengthens Nigeria’s digital identity management system, and supports national development goals.
The AUST President was accompanied on the visit by Dr. Abduhakeem Bello, Acting Vice President (Academic); Prince Obioha Atulomah, Head, Media Services and Public Relations; Engr. Inwelegbu Joseph, Senior Lecturer, Software Engineering; Mrs. Nkechi Ajaegbu, Assistant Lecturer, Computer Science; Mrs. Hadiza Abdullahi, Lecturer, Software Engineering; Mr. Kingsley Ogwudu, Senior Manager, AUSTInspire Innovation Hub; Ms. Nneoma Obimbonu and Ms. Blessing Iweha, Media and Public Relations Assistant while Mr. Ayodele Babalola, Technical Assistant (Media and Communication); Mr. Fola Olatunji David; Mr. Dapo Adedoyin; and Mr. Alvan Ikeoku, Director, Strategy and Planning joined the NIMC DG to welcome the AUST team.