NIMC Planning Comprehensive National Identity System to Streamline Govt Services, Says DG

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Acting Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has assured Nigerians of a seamless registration process for the National Identification Number (NIN) across the nation and in the Diaspora.
She gave the assurance in a statement made available to THISDAY in Abuja, yesterday.
The new NIMC boss also gave an assurance of a comprehensive national identity system that would streamline government services and enhance service delivery.

She said the NIN registration remains free for all eligible citizens while reaffirming the commission’s commitment to ensuring accessibility for all Nigerians in line with global best standards.
Coker-Odusote said, “A unified identity system ensures that citizens receive the services they are entitled to in a more efficient manner.
“Under my watch, NIMC will strengthen the operation and regulation of all matters related to national identity which encompasses services such as NIN enrolment and issuance, national e-ID card issuance, identity verification as well as data harmonisation and authentication.

 “It should be noted that in the digital age, integrated identity is the backbone of e-governance initiatives as it provides an enabling environment for key government programmes of social safety net, financial inclusion, as well as for companies that want to provide innovative products and services to people.
“An integrated identity system will strengthen the government’s fiscal management, promote good governance and transparency through inclusivity and social equality, as it ensures that marginalised and vulnerable populations are not excluded from government services.”
The Acting NIMC DG acknowledged the challenges millions of Nigerians faced during NIN enrolment and pledged that all issues including long processing time and administrative errors, would be fully addressed and resolved.

She also called for understanding and support of all stakeholders within Nigeria’s digital identity space and reiterated that the Commission was committed to speeding up issuance of NINs and provision of other ancillary services to the citizenry.
Coker-Odusote added that NIMC was devoted to supporting the policy direction of the Bola Tinubu’s administration by strengthening the issuance of NIN in line with the President’s pledge to lift more Nigerians out of poverty, improve food security, drive economic growth and enhance security.