The Federal government say no Nigerian irrespective of sex, age, location, residency, or physical status is denied the right to a verifiable ID.
It said this is so because a robust identity system serves
as the cornerstone for building a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous
Nigeria.
The Director General of the National Identity Management
Commission, NIMC,Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote stated this on Thursday at annual
Consultation Workshop with Stakeholders organized by the ID4D in partnership
with other partners in Abuja.
The DG said the government is aware that access to a
reliable identity is not a privilege but a fundamental right and therefore
would do everything possible to provide access to every Nigerian citizen and
legal residents.
‘‘I bring to you warm greetings and blessings from the
father of the Nation, President and Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces,
Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is a passionate listener to the yearnings and aspirations
of Nigerians.
‘‘The President has expressed worry over our fragmented
identity system which is causing the country huge losses in expenditure and has
given us marching orders to ensure we integrate and unify our identity system.
To match words with action, the President on assumption of office as
Commander-in-Chief signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill now Nigeria Data
Protection Act. This was to provide the needed legal framework for the
protection and privacy of the data of Nigerians and legal residents.’’
The DG, who reiterated their earlier directive on free
enrolment of citizens, insisted that NIN is free and for everyone. ‘‘At the
NIMC, we frown at all forms of extortion and will ensure anyone found culpable
of extorting any potential enrolee is made to bear the full weight of the law.
Since my assumption of office as the DG of the NIMC, I have led several sting
operations to enrolment and regional coordination centres across the country
where some of our staff found extorting enrolees were handed over to law
enforcement agents for prosecution.’’
Asides working to remove all impediments and barriers to
enrolment for a national ID, Odusote said the Commission is working closely
with the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project (NDID4) with
support from World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and European
Investment Bank (EIB) in implementing series of sustainable and innovative
reforms.
The goal, she said is to remove all current challenges and
difficulties that people face in enrolling for IDs, fostering a robust,
seamless, and more inclusive enrolment system where ID is provided for
everyone, and no one is left behind.
She also reiterated the Commission’s commitment to
addressing the challenges and barriers that vulnerable individuals and groups,
including women, persons with disabilities, IDPs and refugees face in obtaining
the NIN which is needed to facilitate their access to critical services
necessary for their well-being.
‘‘The NIMC is fashioning ways to clear backlog of enrolment
fees owed to enrolment partners and have also developed a robust business model
to incentivise all partners particularly those who will be conducting enrolment
in remote and hard to reach communities and locations.
As part of efforts to put Nigeria on the global map, the DG
said plans were under way to amend the NIMC Act to ensure it is in consonance
with the current digital realities to ease integration with other foundational
ID agencies like the National Population Commission.
‘‘In the same vein, enrolment centres and registration
points will be located close to communities to reduce travel costs and time,
enhance access to ID and to encourage and prioritise enrollment for women,
girls, and other vulnerable groups. This will also involve Mobile registration
centres to bring the enrollment process closer to the people in the rural and
hard-reach areas,’’ she added.
She urged the participants to join hands with the Commission
in building a robust, sustainable, economically inclusive, and progressive
Nigeria for all, it starts with one ID at a Time.
Earlier in his welcome address, the ECSU coordinator, DID4D,
Solomon Odole, said the idea behind the workshop was to ensure that vulnerable
and marginalized individuals and groups were given visibility and adequately
considered in the identity system.
‘‘This workshop is not just about professional development
but also an opportunity to foster meaningful connections and build lasting
relationships’’.
The workshop was aimed at fostering collective efforts among
various stakeholders to foster a robust and inclusive foundational ID for every
Nigerian and legal resident devoid of any form of discrimination or hinderance
that ensures their access to services.
Participants at the workshop were: representatives of CSOs,
Persons with disabilities, vulnerable and marginalized groups, relevant public
institutions, international donor organizations, and funding partners.
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