From David Onuoja, Abuja
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has marked its 7th National Day of Identity (NDI), with the theme: Public Key Infrastructure: “Backbone To Digital Public Infrastructure”.
Speaking at the event, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said it is time to take Nigeria to a greater height through Digital Public Infrastructure and make Nigeria among the Committee of National Identity nations.
According to her, September 16th annually marks a moment to reflect on the importance of legal identity for all. Through this symbolic and bold declaration, Nigeria has positioned itself as a Continental pacesetter in advancing SDG 16.9 and “we are committed to setting the pace until Africa reaches the standards of countries like Belarus, which has achieved 100% birth registration”.
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Held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center, Abuja, This year’s theme, Odusite said is to ensure the security, privacy, and accessibility of personal data, laying the foundation for a digital economy that benefits all Nigerians.
She added that through this innovative technology of digital economy, it will empower and enable an individual to use their identity to access essential services and empowering them to participate fully in the society. This participation through telecommunications, banking, healthcare and government services will make Public Key Infrastructure, to improve service delivery, reduce fraud and also create a secure, inclusive and empowering system for all.
In this journey of Identity she said, have enrolled over 123 million Nigerians in the National Identification Database. Saying, that this achievement represents 49% reduction in waiting times, made possible through the integration of cutting-edge technology and strategic collaborations.
NIMC boss revealed that NIMC’s integration with MDAs and Parastatals, including those in the diaspora, have given the Commission a great success as it has partners with over 50 organizations.
Dr Coker-Odusote therefore, warned against those who involved themselves in illicit sale of their NIN and or purchase it in order to exploit the system for fraudulent gain. She cleared the rumors that the database of the Commission had been compromised. “Let me make it abundantly clear that there is no truth to these claims; our data remains secure and without breach of data”, she declared.
Odusote equally revealed that NIN has helped the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, in ensuring that poverty reduction reach the targeted citizens. Same to Education Fund where about 449,000 Students have benefited. “NIMC’s work demonstrated that a secure, verified identity is the backbone of a digital public infrastructure”, she averred.
