The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, announced that 332,715 students have been registered for loans under the federal government’s Student Loan Initiative, with over 18,000 students already receiving payments.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during the National Day of Identity, themed “Digital Public Infrastructure – Enabling Access to Services in Nigeria,” Coker-Odusote emphasized the vital role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in supporting government initiatives. The event, held on September 16, aimed to highlight the importance of identity in ensuring inclusion, protection, and empowerment, particularly for vulnerable groups.
She explained that DPI is a digital network typically built in the public sector to enable the safe and efficient delivery of economic opportunities and social services to citizens and legal residents. “DPI accelerates financial inclusion and transforms lives by addressing the challenges of physical distance, documentation, and high transaction costs,” she stated.
Coker-Odusote further highlighted NIMC’s role in enrolling over 110 million Nigerians for the National Identification Number (NIN), which is integral to the Student Loan Initiative.
“The Student Loan Initiative showcases how DPI can eliminate financial barriers to education. By collaborating with 257 institutions, 332,715 students have been registered for loans, and over 18,000 students have already received payments through the initiative,” Coker-Odusote said.
She also reiterated that with ongoing economic reforms and the government’s focus on social and palliative programs, strong digital infrastructure is crucial to ensuring these initiatives reach the most vulnerable members of society.
