The federal government has moved the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Ministry of Interior, following a series of controversies that has characterized the operation of the institution.
The NIMC was under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – where it was tasked to link personal phone numbers to NIN under the supervision of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
In 2017, former President Muhammadu Buhari issued an order for data-collecting agencies to align their data with the NIMC. As a component of this data harmonization initiative, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), directed that the data collected during SIM registration should be shared with the NIMC.
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The move was aimed at enhancing the accuracy and completeness of individuals’ identity records, facilitating better coordination of data across government agencies, and improving the overall efficiency of identity management systems in Nigeria.
The agency (the NIMC) is tasked with a specific mandate in Nigeria. This mandate includes:
- Establishing, owning, operating, maintaining, and managing the national identity database in Nigeria.
- Registering individuals covered by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007.
- Assigning a unique National Identification Number (NIN) to registered individuals.
- Issuing General Multi-Purpose Cards (GMPC) to citizens of Nigeria and legal residents within the country.
In essence, the NIMC is responsible for creating and maintaining a comprehensive database of individuals’ identity information in Nigeria, ensuring that each person is assigned a unique identification number (NIN), and providing multi-purpose identity cards to eligible individuals, whether they are Nigerian citizens or legally residing in the country. This helps in various aspects of governance, public services, and identity verification within Nigeria.
However, the operation of the NIMC has come under heavy criticism, especially at the peak of the federal government’s push to link NIN to phone numbers.
The news that it has been moved to the Ministry of Interior was confirmed by Alao Babatunde, spokesperson to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior.
“I can confirm the NIMC is now domiciled in the Ministry of Interior,” Alao said. “The minister announced it during a meeting with the past comptroller-general of immigration on Tuesday.”
The statement indicates that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was relocated to the Interior Ministry, possibly as part of an effort to enhance security measures related to identity data and management in Nigeria.
The move to the Interior Ministry may be seen as a strategic decision aimed at ensuring the highest level of security for the data and processes associated with identity management.
This alignment may facilitate better coordination and collaboration among various government agencies responsible for collecting and managing identity-related data.
By integrating these efforts within the Interior Ministry, the goal is likely to create a more efficient and seamless system where agencies responsible for identity data gathering and management, as well as those focused on maintaining security and protecting citizens’ lives, can work together more effectively and harmoniously. This integration could lead to improved overall security and identity management practices in the country.
“The benefit– when we say internal security, how do you secure people you don’t have their database?” Alao asked.
“It is to have the database of the people you want to secure. That helps all agencies involved with better coordination and to function better.”
The former Director General of the Bureau of Public Sector Reforms (BPSR) Dr. Joe Abah said moving NIMC to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy never made any sense in the first place.
“Like passports, Identity management should be with Interior,” he added.