Upcoming ECOWAS National Biometric ldentity Card

Sir: Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the world class edifice named in his honour at the Nigerian lmmigration Service headquarters Abuja, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC).

The completion and the commissioning of the magnificent edifice is a fulfillment of a long held dream. The complex is more than a building, it is rather a bold step in modernizing immigration infrastructure and a powerful tool in the Nigerian Immigration Service on -going efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders, manage migration effectively, enhance national security and t foster stronger ties within the ECOWAS sub-region.

The multifaceted complex comprises of seven critical components that include the Command and Control Centre for Regular Migration; the NIS Data Centre and Visa Approval Centre; the Interior Data Centre; the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) Centre and the 4.1mw Solar Farm. Each of these components has been meticulously designed to meet international standards, ensuring that Nigeria now not only catches up with global trends but becomes a leader in the management of migration data.

The integration of security across air, land and sea which the Ministry of interior and the Nigerian lmmigration Service envisioned is aimed at driving impactful security changes in and outside the country. The project also emphasized the need for Nigerians to embrace technology, change and knowledge – based innovations.

The ECOWAS National Biometric ldentity Card (ENBIC) center is one of, and a key component of this complex. The center is responsible for the production and distribution of the ECOWAS Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) .The opening of the center is a huge step forward which underpins both Nigeria’s desire to modernize and streamline it’s identity management infrastructure and the effort to ensure a more secure and connected immigration system with it’s ECOWAS regional neighbours.

The ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) is the official travel document for the region. The ENBIC is replacing the ECOWAS hand written Travel Certificate which is currently in use as only a travel document that requires a resident card after ninety days stay in any of the member countries but the ENBIC will be use as a travel document and also as a resident card for citizens currently residing in any of the member countries.

The technical and technology choices made for the creation of this new Card are at the cutting edge in terms of the issuing of highly secure ldentity documents, guaranteeing a high level of protection against identity fraud and counterfeiting. hologram guillrate – patterned background, iridescent features, and UV printing are examples of the security features used by the authorities of the various countries. Such choices also means that the ECOWAS Card project must be entrusted to a highly specialized expert in the field who is able to rigorously apply the requirements defined by any country.

Despite the implementation of the ENBIC by these West African Countries in the last ten years, the ENBIC project has not been too successful and effective due to the absence and the non – implementation by Nigeria which has 60 to 70% ECOWAS Population. The last ten years has been a challenging time to, some Nigerians at home and those residing in other West African member countries who had anxiously wait for the implementation of the ENBIC by previous administrations which never happened until the present administration intervention in her wisdom and vision to boost businesses and stabilize the Nigerian economy that ensure the project-completion.

The implementation of the ENBIC and the commissioning of BATTIC is an indication of setting a new benchmark in the use of technology to protect its borders and enhance national security. By adopting similar technology – driven initiatives in other parts of the world, Nigeria stand to gain significant advantages, as evidenced by success of nations like Singapore and the UAE. These countries have revolutionised their visa and border management systems through digitization, resulting in increased tourism and trade.

Nigerians must remain focus, united and continue to pray for the country to enable her realize her potentials, goals and objectives. The harvest that awaits us will be gratifying after our many sacrifices and perseverance.

The BATTIC project experience is a testament that Nigeria’s vision to attaining greatness in every sphere of endeavor is achieveable, and with the implementation of the ECOWAS Biometric Identity Card, Nigeria is set to make tremendous progress and lasting economic and national security impacts not only on the sub region or Africa but accross the globe.

• Ahmad Ibrahim writes from No. 50, Lokoja/Gwari Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State.