NIMC Director-General reveals progress of Nigeria Student Loan program, over 18,000 students receive payments

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has announced that 332,715 students have been registered under the federal government’s Student Loan initiative, with over 18,000 students already receiving payments.

Coker-Odusote shared the update during her speech in Abuja on Monday, marking the National Day of Identity, themed “Digital Public Infrastructure – Enabling Access to Services in Nigeria.” The event highlighted the importance of a strong digital identity system in supporting government programs and improving access to services for all citizens.

She explained that the development of a digital public infrastructure (DPI) is vital to the success of federal initiatives, such as the student loan program, and is designed to facilitate access to public and private services across sectors like finance, healthcare, and agriculture.

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“DPI accelerates financial inclusion and transforms the lives of citizens by addressing challenges of physical distance and documentation, as well as the high cost of transactions,” Coker-Odusote stated.

She further explained that NIMC has enrolled over 110 million Nigerians in its National Identification Number (NIN) system, which plays a critical role in ensuring smooth and secure access to these services.

“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,” she added.

Coker-Odusote also emphasized the importance of continued government investment in social programs, noting that such efforts will help cushion the economic impact of ongoing reforms, especially for the most vulnerable members of society.

The National Day of Identity, observed annually on September 16, highlights the significance of identity for inclusion, protection, and empowerment, with