The federal government has inaugurated the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project Ecosystem Steering Committee.The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said the inauguration was held at the conference room of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) Abuja, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
NIMC, in a statement, said the steering committee is to guide the strategic direction of the Nigeria Digital ID4D Project. The project’s vision is to establish a secure and verifiable digital identity for every Nigerian, thereby enhancing service delivery, and governance, and creating opportunities for growth in the digital economy.
The committee is chaired by the SGF with members including the Minister of Finance, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Minister of Health, Minister of Education, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the NIMC.
The SGF, George Akume, in his inaugural speech, underscored the immense potential of the Nigeria Digital ID4D Project to revolutionize identification and access to services.
Akume emphasised the need to address challenges related to data privacy, accessibility, and citizen engagement to ensure the project’s success.
On her part, the DG/CEO of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted the importance of digital identity in driving socio-economic development and empowering the citizens.
Coker-Odusote, an engineer, expressed confidence in the project’s transformative impact and was looking forward to the Steering Committee’s collective efforts.
She emphasised that the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Programme represents a bold and ambitious initiative aimed at leveraging digital technologies to enhance service delivery, improve governance, and unlock opportunities for our citizens.
The steering committee’s mandate extends beyond policy formulation to fostering a collaborative governance structure that will oversee the project’s implementation. The committee is tasked with ensuring that the project aligns with international best practices and respects the privacy and rights of all Nigerians.
The ID4D project, which commenced in 2019, is being financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of $115 million and co-financing of $100 million from the French Agency for Development and $215 million from the European Investment Bank.
According to the World Bank, which facilitated the loans and monitored the project, as of April 30, 2023, a total of $35.6 million had been disbursed for the implementation of the project.
