‘Nigeria only country without harmonised identity data management system’

The Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aziz Aliyu has disclosed that Nigeria is the only country without a harmonised national digital identity data management system.

Speaking with The Guardian in Abuja yesterday, Aliyu said due to the ineffective identity management system, the Federal Government is taking steps to ensure a speedy harmonisation of the citizen’s identification data held by different government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The aim according to the DG is to ensure a single database, owned and managed by the commission.Besides, the harmonised identity data management system would help global fight against terrorism and ensure national security and public safety of Nigerians and foreigners alike.

The harmonisation of the database has also become important because of the present global security challenges and the urgent need for Nigeria to join the international community in the fight against transnational crimes and criminality.NIMC, according to Aliyu remains committed to ensuring the enlistment of all Nigerians in the nation’s identity database.

“The main thrust and commitment of the commission is to provide proof of legal identity in the form of unique digital ID to enable access to service, rights and protections.

“Any good foundational ID systems must have linkages with functional ID systems, hence our collaboration and partnerships with public and private sector organisations,” he said. He said NIMC’s collaboration with other organisations concerned with data identity is in alignment with government policy on leveraging authenticated National Identity Number (NIN) for service provision.