President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that more than 126 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Identity Database with their National Identity Numbers (NIN), marking a major milestone in the countrys digital identity drive. Speaking on Tuesday, September 16, at the 7th National Day of Identity, organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, commended the Commission for clearing over 2.5 million backlog records in the past two years and for arresting more than 30 fraudulent individuals who had set up fake registration centres. The President highlighted the success of the NIMCs mobile and web self-service applications, which have processed over 500,000 record updates, as well as the deployment of more than 800 mobile enrolment devices across the country and the establishment of new territorial offices for oversight. Reflecting on the events theme, Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure, Tinubu stressed that a secure identity system is central to building trust in Nigerias digital economy. He said the integration of identity management with digital public services would enhance financial inclusion, strengthen governance, bolster social protection programmes, and reinforce national security. Behind this number are workers who can now claim their pensions without fear of fraud. Some students can now access loans and scholarships with ease. Some farmers receive targeted incentives that boost productivity and strengthen food security. There are displaced persons and vulnerable groups who now have proof of identity that enables them to benefit from humanitarian support. This is the true power of identity, and this is the progress we celebrate. Tinubu said He added that enrolment has extended beyond Nigerias borders, with more than 200 diaspora centres now serving Nigerians abroad, while refugees, internally displaced persons, and inmates of correctional facilities have also been registered. A disability inclusion policy has also been rolled out, training more than 5,000 enrolment agents to better serve persons with disabilities. Tinubu noted that the national database has been expanded from a capacity of 100 million records to 250 million, while over 1,500 enrolment devices are now operational nationwide. He further explained that 125 government agencies and institutions have been harmonised with NIMC, reducing duplication and improving efficiency. This includes partnerships with the Immigration Service for passport issuance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service for tax records, the National Population Commission for birth registration, the National Health Insurance Authority for healthcare enrolment, and UBEC for school records. The President pointed out that the enforcement of the NIN-SIM linkage with the Nigerian Communications Commission has curbed fraud and boosted national security. He also outlined measures taken to strengthen the Commission, including staff training, provision of modern work tools, creation of a world-class customer care centre, and construction and rehabilitation of enrolment facilities nationwide. Staff welfare has also been improved, with salary adjustments, promotions for over 2,800 staff members, and new welfare measures. Tinubu said clampdowns on extortion and phishing sites have safeguarded citizens, while collaboration with security agencies has led to the arrest of over 30 fraudulent operators and the closure of illegal centres. He added that NIMC had maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification, a global benchmark for data security, and launched the High Availability Verification Service to ensure 99.9 percent uptime for identity verification. He listed the benefits of the NIN as seamless access to government services, improved financial inclusion, enhanced national planning, and stronger security architecture. He added that it streamlines social intervention programmes, eliminates ghost beneficiaries, ensures subsidies reach the right people, and supports access to banking, healthcare, education, and telecommunications services. The Director General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, revealed that 52 percent of Nigerians in the diaspora and 85 percent of inmates in correctional facilities have been enrolled. She noted that upgraded infrastructure has reduced enrolment time by 49 percent and eliminated extortion. She dismissed claims that the NIMC database had been compromised, describing its systems as the most secure in the country, aligned with global standards.
0 Comments