NIN Agents Demand Action Over Unpaid Commissions

In Ibadan, no fewer than 300 independent National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment agents have expressed grievances regarding unpaid commissions and forceful loan recovery actions by NIRSAL Microfinance Bank. These agents, who were engaged to support Nigeria's mass identification registration drive in 2021, claim a breach of contract as they have not received commissions since January 2022, despite the NIMC achieving its enrollment targets.

The agents allege that initial payments were made between April and May 2021, but subsequent payments were halted for several months, causing financial strain. They also reported that NIRSAL Microfinance Bank has initiated aggressive loan recovery actions, resulting in deductions from their accounts, which has led to financial distress and health challenges.

Tensions escalated in October 2023 when NIMC reportedly withdrew the agents' licenses following a revalidation exercise. The agents have called for intervention from the Central Bank of Nigeria and have sought to renegotiate loan terms, but efforts have yielded no concrete outcomes.