NIMC asks NIS to explore other identity verification channels

While restating its commitment towards ensuring that all Nigerians get the National Identification Number (NIN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has urged the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to verify the identity of passport applicants using other alternative channels.

In a statement yesterday, which depicts possible response to claims by NIS that NIMC was responsible for the delay in the issuance of passports to Nigerians, the Commission, said in the past one year, NIMC has launched improved NIN slip with QR Code and MobileID app to ensure that alternative channels for identity verification are provided.

Head, Corporate Communications, NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, in the statement, said these new channels put personal identity back in the hands of the ID holder and allows for easier and quick verification by simply scanning the barcode.

According to him, all existing and prospective verification agents (all agencies of the government and the private sector) are expected to utilise these available channels including the mobile web service (MWS) to verify the identities of their customers.

The statement noted that the recent reports of purported inability of NIS to verify NINs of passport applicants has shown that these alternative verification channels are not being utilised to serve their teeming customers.

NIMC said it behooves on NIS to leverage these channels and the jointly agreed offline method for handling NIN verification requests for passport applicants.

The statement reads: “The National Identity Management Commission wishes to restate its responsibility and commitment to offer identification services to the general public in accordance with the NIMC Act No 23 of 2007.

“The Commission has continued to enroll all Nigerians and Legal Residents for issuance of the National Identification Number (NIN), whilst providing an authentication platform for the verification, validation and confirmation of the unique identity credentials issued.

“As part of ensuring excellent service provision and mitigating some challenges, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, recently secured the approval of the President, Muhammad Buhari to upgrade the NIMS infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of the Commission to deliver on its mandate.

“In the past one year, NIMC launched an improved NIN slip with QR Code and MobileID app to ensure that alternative channels for identity verification are provided. These new channels put personal identity back in the hands of the ID holder and allows for easier and quick verification by simply scanning the barcode. All existing and prospective verification agents (all agencies of the Government and the private sector) are expected to utilize these available channels including the mobile web service (MWS) to verify the identities of their customers.

“The recent reports of purported inability of Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to verify NINs of passport applicants has shown that these alternative verification channels are not being utilized to serve their teeming customers. It behooves on NIS to leverage these channels and the jointly agreed offline method for handling NIN verification requests for passport applicants.

“The Commission wishes to reiterate that the improved NIS slip and mobile ID app are credible and reliable channels to carry out NIN verification services. With focus on the digital economy policy of the Federal Government, the Commission will continue to offer innovative solutions for digital ID usage and seamless services to support identification for development.”