Nigeria: National Identity Management Commission to be Switched to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy

By Abdul Rahman Bangura–

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone- President of the Republic of Nigeria – Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the shift of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. Mallam Isa Ali Pantami – Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, in an assertion announced, the authorization for the evolution was based on the Buhari’s respect for the significant role of NIMC towards the realization of the purposes of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS).

Pantami clarified that, this was in tandem with the exertion to assure that synergy and useful ministry supervisory mechanism is put in place to coordinate, monitor and track the progress of Federal Government’s digital transformation initiatives. The statement autographed by the Spokesperson to the Minister – Uwa Suleiman pointed out that, the President’s directives for NIMC to be under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is a portrait of the President’s vote of confidence on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, based on his performance reinforcing that, Pantami had within his first year in office, amongst others determined the ICT sector’s decade-long predicament of Right of Way charges.

“He was also able to secure the President’s approval for the provision of security as well as designation of Telecommunications Infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, regularization of improperly registered SIM cards and deactivation of unregistered ones, the deployment of over 250 digital projects across the country under his policies and supervision as well as built the capacity of over 36,000 Nigerians.”

Suleiman thought of that, NIMC is directed to create, manage, maintain and operate the National Identity Database created by the NIMC Act, 2007 while the Commission has so far registered around 41 million eligible enrollees for the National Identity Number (NIN).

According to her, “The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the other hand has details of over 191 million mobile subscribers. Furthermore, the National Information Technology Development Agency has recorded huge successes in the development and implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), the country’s first codified data protection regulation. The Agency has also reached an advanced stage on the implementation of the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI). Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) also provides services to Government Agencies – Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service.”

Suleiman said that need therefore for NIMC, NCC, NITDA and GBB to work nearly together under the supervision of one Ministry towards curbing what has already been accomplished cannot be overemphasized. In addition, the NIN, regarded as a social security as well as civil number, is very important for economic planning and social intervention. With Federal Government’s digitalization ambitions in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, access to services and interventions will require it.

“We therefore urge all eligible individuals to enroll as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Honorable Minister is assuring Nigerians as well as residents that appropriate measures will be put in place to ensure that opportunities for enrolment are provided to all.”

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent

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