The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has restated that enrollment for the National Identity Number (NIN) is free for everyone and vowed to prosecute anyone found culpable of extorting any potential enrollee.
Meanwhile, plans are underway to amend the NIMC Act to ensure it aligns with the current digital realities to ease integration with other foundational ID agencies like the National Population Commission.
Director General of NIMC, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote stated this yesterday at the annual consultation with stakeholders organized by the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (DID4D) project yesterday in Abuja.
She noted that the commission is implementing a series of sustainable and innovative reforms to remove all current challenges and difficulties that people face in enrolling for IDs, fostering a robust, seamless, and more inclusive enrolment system where ID is provided for everyone, and no one is left behind.
Coker-Odusot observed that the commission is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian irrespective of sex, age, location, residency, or physical status is denied the right to a verifiable identification.
Represented by her Technical Assistant, Ayobami Zainab Abiola, the Director General noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had expressed worry over the fragmented identity system which is causing the country huge losses in expenditure, and has given NIMC the marching orders to ensure we integrate and unify our identity system.
She said that the commission is working tirelessly on upgrading the enrolment software and ensuring the training and retraining of all licensed enrolment partners.
The director general observed that to match words with action, the President on assumption of office signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill 2023 into law adding that this will was to provide the needed legal framework for the protection and privacy of the data of Nigerians and legal residents.
“We are also committed to addressing the challenges and barriers that vulnerable individuals and groups, including women, persons with disabilities, IDPs and refugees face in obtaining the NIN which is needed to facilitate their access to critical services necessary for their well-being. This is because a robust identity system serves as the cornerstone for building a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous Nigeria,” she said.
“Since my assumption of office as the DG of the NIMC, I have led several sting operations to enrolment and regional coordination centres across the country where some of our staff found extorting enrolees were handed over to law enforcement agents for prosecution. Asides working to remove all impediments and barriers to enrolment for a national ID, we are working closely with the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project (NDID4) with support from World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and European Investment Bank (EIB) in
Earlier, the National Coordinator, DID4D Project, Mr Solomon Adole, said that the workshop serves as an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to come to formulate frameworks and develop instruments that operationalize the principle of broad inclusion and participation, thereby building an inclusive foundational ID system.
Adole explained that the idea is to ensure that vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups are given visibility and adequately considered in the identity system.
He said, “the agenda of this workshop reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It emphasizes our dedication to continuous learning, growth, and innovation. Through our collective efforts, we aim to create a conducive environment where ideas flourish, and breakthroughs are made.”
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