By Abbas Badmus

TECHDIGEST – The new Acting Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Bisoye Coker-Odusote, resumed office on Thursday.

She was welcomed to the premises of the NIMC headquarters in Abuja by a cross-section of staff members led by the outgoing DG, Engr Aliyu Abubakar Aziz.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Tuesday directed Engr. Aziz to proceed on a 90-day pre-retirement leave with effect from Thursday.

According to a statement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the former NIMC boss is due to retire from service on November 24, 2023.

The President therefore appointed Engr. Coker-Odusote to serve as the Acting Director-General/CEO of the agency for a 90-day period, with effect from Thursday after which a full term of four years will begin as the substantive NIMC boss on November 24, 2023.

Tech Digest reports that Coker-Odusote’s appointment comes at a crucial time when NIMC is playing an increasingly vital role in the nation’s digital transformation. As the custodian of citizens’ biometric data and the issuer of the National Identification Number (NIN), the NIMC’s role has expanded to encompass various government initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery, security, and identity verification.

Prior to his appointment, Coker-Odusote held positions in both the public and private sectors, demonstrating her capacity to bridge the gap between technology and governance. Her leadership is expected to steer NIMC towards greater efficiency, innovation, and alignment with global identity management best practices.

Engr Coker-Odusote, who according to sources close to her will turn 38 in October, is a long-term associate of the President, serving as his Special Adviser on Technology when he was Lagos state governor.

The new NIMC boss has over 15-year experience in IT and engineering. She was the Head of IT and Communications at Bate Liwin, a world renowned engineering, procurement and construction firm.

She was also the National Database Project Director for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Walter Duru, Ph.D

TECHDIGEST – Just like many other members of the Nigerian delegation, I felt very proud to be a Nigerian, when, at the 2022 ID4Africa Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, my dearly beloved country was celebrated for leading the Identity revolution in Africa. The message was very clear; the ovation was loudest; many others present at the Conference must have wished that they were Nigerians at that very moment.

Nigeria received global commendation for leading identity reforms in Africa, by being the first country to introduce and celebrate a National Identity Day.

Speaking at the Conference, Executive Chairman of ID4Africa, Dr. Joseph Atick poured encomiums on Nigeria over her leadership role in promoting identification in Africa.

Hear him: “I like to update the call to recognize 16 September as Identity Day, in commemoration of SDG 16.9, which we had first made in 2018. Today, I would like to call on all the relevant African authorities to officially recognize this day as their Identity Day. Identity is a priority for Africa. Nigeria led the continent in this regard, and we applaud them for it. We would love to see the rest of the African countries doing the same.”

Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, explained that “we adopted September 16 as National Identity Day in order to ensure that attention is drawn to the benefits and implications of citizens having a National Identity Number.”

September 16 is celebrated yearly in Nigeria as National Identity Day, as a way of creating awareness on the benefits and implications of a legal means of identity, and in this case, the unique National Identity Number (NIN). The idea is that a National ID Day is an effective tool to sensitize the population and mobilize national resources around promoting identification.

On the necessity of a unique identification for Nigerians, Director General of the National Identity Management Commission – NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz explained that:

“Digital Identity is crucial for any digital economy. The NIN is therefore essential for its realization. In the United States, three main numbers work there. One is the telephone number. The second is the Zonal Improvement Plan (ZIP code). Every zone has a number attached to it. Then, they have their Social Security Number. Now that we have the NIN, we need to move to integrate the numbers for proper planning.”

“If you have a child, you give the child a name. It is applicable in this case. The NIN is like: how do I give my citizens unique names that the government will call them? The advantages are enormous. You must differentiate one from another. It is a form of differentiation. It also serves security purposes. That is what protects all developed nations, and it must be in a digital way so that it may be verified. The inconvenience is not as much as the benefits. Very soon, whatever the government wants to do with you in Nigeria, they will ask you for your NIN.”

Identification is a right and an instrument of citizens’ protection. It opens the doors for access to government services, benefits, and opportunities. Little wonder in Nigeria today, there is hardly any government service that one can access without a NIN.

Digital Identification helps detect fraud. It also reduces the need for physical presence. It enhances customer trust and helps to protect organisational reputation.

When implemented properly, identification systems have the potentials to assist countries achieve inclusive development, while enhancing security of lives and property, as nationwide use of reliable means of identification can help to combat crime and illegal immigration.

The ability to produce a unique, secure, and reliable form of identification for residents of a country provides numerous development benefits for individuals, from accessing government and business services, to establishing their right of residence and employment in a region.

Ultimately, National Identity is necessary for achieving implementation of social protection systems, particularly, in ensuring that the vulnerable in the society are not marginalized.

Better identification, authentication, and targeting mechanisms can improve transparency, reduce waste, and streamline service delivery.

It will also help in fighting the cankerworm of corruption, while helping the government to plan adequately and accurately.

The benefits of a unique identification system notwithstanding, poorly implemented identification systems could create certain risks for the society.

Now that the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project has taken off, deliberate steps must be taken to ensure that systems are in place to guide the Digital Identification implementation in Nigeria.

Present efforts by the Nigeria Digital ID4D and the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau towards the enactment of a Data Protection Law for Nigeria could not have come at a better time. Having a law that protects citizens’ data, to prevent abuse is essential to build trust, while assuring citizens of the safety and security of their data.

The National Identity Management Commission must take deliberate steps to upscale and sustain communication and public enlightenment activities, with a view to deepening understanding, while closing trust gaps on the country’s National Identity project.

There is the need for a deliberate strategy for the poor, women, children, rural dwellers, minorities, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people.

The benefits of having a unique and verifiable ID are enormous. The objectives can only be achieved if stakeholders commit to working together.

Every Nigerian must enrol on the national identification project, own a Unique Identification Number (NIN), to access public services and help the government to succeed.

Visit the NIN enrolment centre nearest to you today, to be a complete Nigerian.

All hands must be on deck!

Dr. Walter Duru is a Communications expert and Public Relations Strategist. He could be reached on: walterchike@gmail.com.

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) has kick-started efforts in the full implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) of President Muhammadu Buhari under the supervisory Ministry of Communications and Digital Technology as kit inks collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to upscale the privacy of citizen’s data so as to earn their trust.

The NDPB National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, who made this known in his working visit to the NIMC in Abuja stated that the commission which is the highest data controller in the country should be a model for other data controllers since data is the foundation of everything in the country’s digital economy.

While interacting with the NIMC Director General. Abdulaziz Aliyu Abubakar and his management team, Olatunji said privacy of data is an essential element in the process of achieving proper identification of citizens.

“There is nothing you would want to do in the digital economy without proper identity and you can’t achieve that without adequate privacy and protection of data”, he noted.

Nigeria’s Chief Data Security Officer while reiterating the dedication of his team in actualizing the bureau’s mandate stated that creating awareness for data controllers and data processors on their obligations to data subjects is their next line of action and there was no better place to start than with NIMC.

“With the registration of the National Identification Number (NIN) in the country hitting about 80million, I don’t know any other data controller in the country with the number of data you have uniquely, a fact which necessitated our visit here and should be a model for other data controllers to emulate in the country”, said Olatunji.

While giving accolades to the commission for the job done so far in ensuring all Nigerians have an identity, Olatunji however stated that best data protection practices must be adopted in the handling of citizenry data to meet global standards.

The NDPB boss who asserted that there was no perfect system, urged the commission to constantly review their processes, data privacy and upscale areas where necessary.

He further admonished the commission to align with the Nigerian Data Protection Regulations (NDPR) which is the subsidiary legislation in terms of data protection in the country while buttressing the need for data minimization in ensuring a seamless process for citizens who want their data updated.

“In terms of filing annual audit report, we want NIMC to demonstrate that leadership by filing with us as enshrined in the NDPR to serve as an example

to all data controllers because you are the biggest data controller”, said the NDPB boss.

Laying emphasis on the bureau’s plan on engaging in massive capacity building, Olatunji disclosed that capacities of the bureau’s staff as well as staff of major data controllers in the country remains a top priority. He stressed that collaborating with stakeholders was equally important.

“Our own idea of compliance is not to seek organizations to sanction but to create awareness and make compliance a culture by design and default which becomes a culture. This is the level we want to raise data privacy and protection to in Nigeria”, said Olatunji.

Abubakar remarked that the bureau has an onerous task to drive privacy and protection of citizenry data even as he assured that the NIMC as Nigeria’s digital identity agency will work closely with the data bureau.

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TECHDIGEST – The Federal Government has urged the Citizens to link their national identification number (NIN) with the SIM Card without further delays.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved an extension of the NIN-SIM linkage deadline to the 31st of March, 2022.

In preparation for the enforcement, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) urges citizens and legal residents to use the next few days to ensure that they complete the linkage.

READ ALSO :  FG Extends NIN-SIM Verification As NIN Enrolments Surpass 71 Million

To this end, the Minister has further directed that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) should offer enrolment services round-the-clock for the next few days, according to a statement jointly signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Prof Pantami also thanks all those who have completed their NIN-SIM linkage.

“On behalf of the Honourable Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, urge citizens and legal residents to take advantage of the window to complete the process of enrolment and verification within the next few days”, the statement reads.

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TECHDIGEST  – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami has officially opened the 3rd National Identification Number (NIN) diaspora enrolment centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Professor Pantami accompanied at the event by the National identification commission DG/CEO Engr. Aliyu A.Aziz reiterated the federal government commitment to ensure that all Nigeria have the foundational identity, most especially the Nigerian’s in the diaspora.

He emphasized the need for all Nigerian living and working in the UAE to enrol and be issued the NIN.

ALSO READ : Nigeria’ll capitalize on Digital Technology to Combat Insecurity – Pantami

The newly opened Centre managed by NIMC-license Diaspora enrolment partner, Knowledge Square and Plectrum Limited bring the total number of Centre opened in 38 countries to 152.

The Dubai Centre is located at 19th floor, Conrad Tower, Sheikh Zayad road, trade Centre 1,Dubai UAE.

Meanwhile, Professor Pantami uses the occasion to showcase and educate the Nigerian in the Diaspora on the recently launched FGs NIN tokenization policy which was unveiled on 16th, September 2021 by the President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR ,as part of his administration policy of ensuring the protection of Data of all NIN holders, especially for verification to access all government services.

It should be recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria had earlier announced the 31st March 2022 as the deadline for the adaptation of tokenization NIN verification policy by both the public and private sectors. NIMC shall cut-over all verification transactions to the NIN tokenization service with effect from 31st March, 2022.

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TECHDIGEST – Nigeria’s national identification number (NIN) database surpassed 64.4 million in September 2021, TechEconomy.ng can report.

This was disclosed by Engineer Aliyu Aziz, director general, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), during a webinar organised by the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) on Thursday.

The DG speaking through Mr. Chuks Onyepunuka, director, IT/Identity Database, NIMC, emphasised the role of telecom service providers in identity management.

“Asides participating in the data capture services alongside normal business activities, telecom service providers are to ensure ID authentication / verification services are made available.

“They are to enforce mandatory use of NIN for Telecom services, harmonise the sim registers with the National ID system, support in sensitisation of industry stakeholders on ID projects and requirements, participate in awareness-raising activities on the importance and benefits of ID to the general public, provide network infrastructure for continued ID registration and authentication and project data and privacy of users’ information.

“These will help speed up the process, enabling citizens to be in symmetry with the goal, bringing about adequate management and ease of access to identity information in any sector”, he said.

Aziz went ahead to state exactly what the telecom service providers are to be focused on. Added to collecting data for unique ID issuance using existing touch points, request and authentication of NIN for sim acquisition as part of everyday business practices is essential.

“NIN should be used as the only valid means of ID for telecom services, they are to ensure the linkages of all sim with NIN for both existing and new subscribers, jointly provide publicity and enlightenment campaigns towards ID acquisition and compliance and support in providing awareness and education on ID’s role in socio-economic development, governance and national security.

“Also, it is important that they ensure reliable and sustainable network provision to broaden NIN registration landscape and the compliance with data protection rules and regulation regarding ID data access and usage must not be ignored”, he emphasised .

Moving on to statistics, Aziz outlined the status of registration and NIN issuance as below:

203 partners licensed as data capture agents/front end partners
Over 4,768 enrolment centre established across the nation

8,520 active enrolment devices used for NIN registration

8,753 enrolment operators trained on NIN registration processes

64,400,000 NIN successfully generated and issued
35 firms onboarded on the authentication/verification platform

Diaspora enrolment carried out in about 25 countries of the world
Windows and android enrolment software used for NIN registration

Contactless Biometric Capture kit launched for NIN enrolment

12,000,000 mobile downloads of the NIMC Mobile App recorded with over 47,000,000 digital profiles created

N25,000,000,000 approved by FEC to upgrade the critical ID backend infrastructure

He said, although the partnership between stakeholders and telecom service providers has boosted enrolment figures and driven rapid deployment of enrolment centres across the nation, compared to the population of Nigeria, 212, 473,029 people, it can be said that there’s still a lot to be done and more efforts to be put in, ensuring a well-circulated medium to guarantee success.

Conclusively, Aziz said the digital identification programme is a key component of the digital economy agenda.

The foundational ID is an essential piece of the digital platform for an economy and the telecom service providers are critical stakeholders in the identity for development projects of Nigeria.

It was further noted that sustainability of a robust ID system is largely on the active participation of the ecosystem partners such as the telcos.

The integration of unique foundational ID with the other registries of agencies will significantly improve targeting of appropriate beneficiaries for programmes and reduce fraud related issues amongst others.

Having a robust and verifiable ID System can help the private sector increase the identifiable customer base, reduce onboarding time and create significant opportunities for innovation and growth.

All ID stakeholders have a role to play in accelerating the digital ID development in Nigeria, including support, enforce, participate, communicate, utilise, comply among others

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigerian government restated its approval of N25 billion for the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to undertake Identity Infrastructure upgrade, even as it launched three new solutions for National Identity Number (NIN) enrollment and NIN-SIM [subscriber identity module] verification.

The new solutions leverage technology to make it less cumbersome and even contactless for Nigerians to carry out their NIN enrollment and effect their NIN-SIM registration.

“The novel identity solutions are targeted at easing the enrolment process and bringing to the fore, the ingenuity of Nigerians to address local challenges with ‘glocal’ solutions, and the willingness of this administration to pay attention to and work with all stakeholders interested in promoting the growth of the digital economy and the country at large,” said Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Thursday in Abuja to mark the National Identity Day ceremony organised by the NIMC.

“All 3 innovative solutions being launched today are novel, not just in Nigeria, but also across the African continent and this reflects the commitment of Mr. President to promote indigenous solutions that will also stand out globally,” added Pantami who spoke on behalf of President Muhammad Buhari.

Nigeria joined the rest of the global community to celebrate the Identity Day, 2021 with the theme for: ‘Identity, a tool for Sustainable Digital Economy and National Security.’

N25b for ID Infrastructure upgrade

He said President Buhari’s commitment to the ID project remained firm.

His words: “As a country, we seek to use efficient ways to deploy national identity trust systems not only to deliver government services in areas such as social welfare, taxes, voting, health administration, security, and education but also to build an indigenous digital economy that will stimulate the private sector and make it thrive.

“With an efficient, secure, accessible, and reliable National Identity Infrastructure we can empower Nigerians to exercise their rights and responsibilities fairly and equitably, thereby driving social inclusion.

“Hence, the unprecedented approval of N25 billion by the Federal Executive Council for upgrade and replacement of the NIMC Identity Infrastructure.”

According to the minister, NIN enrolment has now reached 63 million as NIMC continues to scale up its enrolment drive to get every Nigerian and legal resident issued the NIN by setting up more Enrolment and Registration Centres (ERCs) across the country and in the diaspora.

He said: “We have implemented novel policy initiatives that has led to tremendous increase in the registration of persons to over 63 million records and counting on the National Identity Database (NIDB).”

Novel solutions

According to Pantami, to make it easy for citizens to link their NIN to their phone numbers, “we developed a mobile app that allows users to do so without having to physically visit any telecom company. It also enables users to download the improved NIN slips and use mobile IDs as a valid and secure means of identification.”

He said: “the tokenization solution is in line with the efforts of the Federal Government to enhance Data Privacy and Data Security of citizens and legal residents. It prevents verifiers and third parties from storing raw NIN of users. Rather, it provides a time-bound virtual NIN that is specific to the verifying entities.

The minister said the current raw NIN verification approach is being transitioned to the one “that uses tokenised virtual NINs, in line with the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration.”

Lastly, the NIMC in order to “circumvent the challenges that resulted from the COVID19 pandemic, developed a contactless Android biometric enrolment system that enables Nigerians and legal residents to obtain NINs after providing their biometrics through a process that is swift and contactless.”

The minister added: “It will also support us in enrolling users that are in remote areas and where there are power and networking constraints.”

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TECHDIGEST – The new Condition of Service and Salary Scale increases with over 200% the total National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) personnel cost, it is definitely a significant departure from what was obtainable.

The presentation and unveiling ceremony of the Approved NIMC Staff Condition of Service and new Salary Scale, was conducted by Isa Ibrahim Pantami, PhD, the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, on Thursday, September 3, 2021 which received accolades and cheers from the board and management led by Mallam Bello Ibrahim Gwandu, the acting chairman of Governing Board.

The Minister started by appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari, for his approval of the request and the immense support towards the actualization of this all-important document.

It can be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, transferred the supervision of the Commission to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under Professor Pantami’s purview in October 2020.

“The NIMC Condition of Service is a comprehensive document that, going forward, would serve, as the machinery through which the Commission articulates and implements its personnel policies and programmes.

“The NIMC plays a critical role that impacts the life of every Nigerian, and for persons legally resident in the country. In light of the foregoing, it is imperative that the vibrant NIMC staff who are tasked with managing one of the nation’s most sensitive and critical asset are provided with the enabling environment to play this pivotal role efficiently and effectively”, the Pantami said.

In figures, this new approved condition of service and salary scale add to the NIMC personnel cost which was hitherto N5.04 billion to about N16.72 billion; a difference of N11.7 billion approximately.

So, what are the six key highlights of the approved NIMC Condition of Service include but not limited to:

1. Information about the NIMC, its core functions, offices and departments and the reporting structure

2. Employment eligibility, categories, Grade Level classifications and staff obligations

3. Categorization and eligibility for leave

4. Promotion and career progression matters

5. Pension and retirement benefit for all categories of staff

6. Robust Staff emoluments, amongst others

“Every chapter and sub-heads have been dutifully explained in simple and direct terminologies.

“Staff members of the Commission nationwide and across different cadres are implored to study and imbibe these conditions, the associated and complementary instructions, and notices and to become familiar with all procedures guiding their professional conduct”, the Minister said.

It is expected that the members of staff will scale up the process of National Identification Number (NIN) registration as Digital Identity addresses the gaps occasioned by improper or lack of identification in the execution of mandates of Public Institutions or activities of Private Entities as they relate to individuals in Nigeria, who are the main beneficiaries of services and projects designed and/or enabled by government and implemented by such institutions and/or the private sector.

“As the digital economy sector evolves, now more than ever before, it becomes imperative to lay a strong foundational ID system for the country that can generate reliable and continuous data for policy and decision making, as well as accurate statistics for developmental planning and progress measurement”, Pantami said.

“It is hoped that the approved Condition of Service and the Salary Scale would serve as a veritable tool to re-engineer the operations, structure, and enhance NIMC’s overall functionality, productivity, and performance in line with the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

“As I stated earlier, I implore all staff to ensure diligence, security consciousness and dedication for the seamless operation and integrity of the National Identity Management System (NIMS). I also encourage staff and management of the commission to work harder and shun all kinds of corrupt practices. I equally commend the Governing Board, Director General/CEO, the Management and Staff of the NIMC for steadfastly driving the implementation of the mandates of the Commission as provided for in the NIMC Act 2007”, the minister added.

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TECHDIGEST – The Board and Management of the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) has been formally presented with the New Salary Scale and improved conditions of service as approved by the Federal Executive Council.

The presentation which was made by Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) PhD, the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, on Thursday 2nd September 2021, marks the end of a ten year battle to turn the fortunes of the Commission around.

It could be recalled that the national identification numbers registration was suspended in January this year due to an indefinite strike embarked upon by a unit of the association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) who protested poor conditions of service.

Well, recipe has come their way! The Minister while thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for the support enjoyed by the sector, remarked that the previous unsuccessful attempts, though strong-willed, had resulted in disenchantment amongst the Commission’s workforce and loss of competent and highly skilled personnel to other organizations within and outside the country.

Pantami said, “I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mr President for the support given to me in driving the digital economy sector in Nigeria. Of reference is the mandate for me to supervise the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the approvals granted by Mr. President to ensure the population of the National Identity Database (NIDB) through the issuance of the National Identification Number (NIN) to registered persons, and to scale up the identification infrastructure.

“This is in addition to other unprecedented achievements recorded in securing the N25 billion Federal Executive Council Approval for upgrade and replacement of the NIMC Identity Infrastructure, and the implementation of novel initiatives that has increased the registration of persons to approximately 63 million records and counting on the NIDB. Worthy of note is the exponential increase in number of NIN enrolment centres and the automation of the enrolment process, where citizens and legal residents can begin enrolment process online, and download their new improved NIN slip or link their mobile numbers through the NIMC Mobile Application.

“This new approved condition of service and salary scale add to the NIMC personnel cost which was hitherto N5.04 billion to about N16.72 billion; a difference of N11.7 billion approximately. The Governing Board and Management of NIMC must ensure the judicious utilization of the approved funds as it is released in phases.

“One of the major challenges I came across in the supervision of the NIMC was the poor working condition of the staff. Since the inception of NIMC in 2007, multiple attempts have been made to change the narrative of the staff emoluments without success.

“Furthermore, the process towards achieving a functional condition of service for the Commission has been a long and daunting task that commenced since 2010. Successive administrations have made efforts to institute a statutory personnel policy that accentuates the NIMC’s enormous mandate and humongous service offering to the Nigerian people. These previous attempts, although strong-willed, were unsuccessful, leading to disenchantment amongst the Commission’s work force and loss of competent and highly skilled personnel to other agencies and organizations within and outside Nigeria (to countries such as Eritrea, United Kingdom and Canada).

Following the completion of transfer of the supervision of NIMC to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in October 2020, it became my responsibility to oversee and supervise the affairs of the Commission.

“My first task was to undertake a due diligence and a review process of the NIMC’s Human Capital needs and Technical Audit to ascertain their progress as well as challenges. It was at this point, after series of briefings from the Acting Chairman of the Governing Board, Director General, and top management; and meetings with representatives of the staff union, that I came to appreciate the dire necessity to reform and rejig the NIMC personnel architecture and the urgent need for intervention for upgrade of the National Identity Management System (NIMS)”.

Pantami said that he compared the NIMC Personnel Policy with other ICT parastatals under the Communications and Digital Economy Ministry and found out NIMC has the poorest Staff remuneration scheme with a highly sensitive mandate to deliver.

Thus, the staff renumeration existing then was not commensurate to the work delivery expected from the Commission.

“As you all may be aware, NIMC issues foundation identity, and at the foundation of a digitized economy is the critical role that Digital Identity plays which drives innovation in Banking, e-Commerce, Security, Governance, and Healthcare amongst others. For an evolving digital economy like ours, foundational identity will provide a universal multipurpose system capable of supporting the needs for an inclusive legal identity to ensure citizen’s access to social services and effective undertaking of their civic responsibilities”, the Minister said.

He added that the concept of Digital Identity is universal and the role it plays usually depends on a country and its institutional context. In some countries like Estonia, Republic of South Korea and Singapore that are considered as high-income countries, digital identity represents an upgrade from well-established, robust legacy physical identity systems that have worked reasonably well in the past.

“These Countries now boast of a multipurpose identity (foundational) scheme that covers their entire population and enables them to deliver public services more efficiently. Thus, through innovative approaches put in place to implement the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), and collaboration with all relevant public and private stakeholders, the ICT sector has seen unprecedented growth in the history of Nigeria contributing 17.92% to the total real GDP in Q2 2021, 20.54% higher than its contribution a year earlier and in the preceding quarter.

“The first step I took on the Personnel matter, was to advise the DG to set up a committee to review the existing policies at the time. Following the submission of a revised draft Condition of Service by the Committee, I scheduled arrays of consultations with relevant authorities, chiefly with the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, the Minister of Finance, and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation amongst others.

“It was challenging rallying all and sundry to understand the exigency of the NIMC plight, and to bring everyone on-board considering the economic contractions witnessed in recent years, and of course, other pressing national projects contending for the available but lean resources.

“Through persistence, determination and most importantly, the support of Mr. President, we have arrived at where we are today. We now have a new Condition of Service and Salary Scale approved by Mr. President for the National Identity Management Commission. The new Condition of Service and Salary Scale increases with over 200% the total NIMC personnel cost, a significant departure from what is currently obtainable. We are indeed grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for the approval and directives to implement the NIMC Condition of Service and Salary Scale”, he said.

Mallam Bello Ibrahim Gwandu, acting chairman of NIMC Governing Board, in his remarks at the ceremony, disclosed that “since 2010 we have been galvanizing efforts to ensure a positive change in the fortunes of NIMC’s workforce, but each time we take one successful step forward, there appears to be multiple gridlocks impeding our pace, All of these changed for the better upon the assumption of Professor Pantami as the supervisory Minister of NIMC. Evidence abounds of his persistent push and resilient resolve to accelerate us to this remarkable phase. We couldn’t have asked for a better Minister” he emphasized.

On his part, Engr Aliyu Abdullaziz, Director General of NIMC, while expressing the profound gratitude of the Commission in particular and the sector in general, noted that ‘Professor Pantami has achieved in less than a year, what previous administrations tried unsuccessfully to achieve in over a decade”.

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