General
NIMC to License More Agents for NIN Registration
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced plans to license more agents across the country for National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment.
This was disclosed in statement signed by the acting Director General of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, on Monday, inviting organisations, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), startup companies, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with proven track records of successful performance in a similar capacity to indicate their interest in the provision of data collection and issuance of the NIN.
The commission said Nigerian representatives of its development partners can also indicate interest.
The move will help change the ongoing revalidation exercise of existing agents instituted by the newly appointed Director General of the commission amid concerns that there are now many fake NIN enrollment centres across the country.
According to the commission, the license to be issued comes in three categories with different eligibility requirements.
It stated that the first category is the LLCs, which are incorporated companies with over 2 years post-incorporation and can operate at National, regional, state, and local government levels.
The second category comprises SMEs, and startups comprise registered business names that operate as SMEs and can operate at regional, state, and local government levels.
The third category comprises CSOs and NGOs that are incorporated Trustees focused on specific groups with special needs and can operate within catchments and areas of their interest in the country.
While all applications are expected to be submitted physically to the NIMC head office in Abuja, the Commission said the expression of interest will close by November 14, 2023.
Earlier this month, NIMC announced the revalidation of its third-party agent licensees. The commission said this was part of its commitment to ensure the highest standards of data security and compliance and was part of ongoing efforts to enhance the security, efficiency, and accuracy of the National Identity Management System.
The commission also stressed that the revalidation process is mandatory for all current partners and is intended to ensure compliance with the latest standards and protocols.
It noted that the revalidation process will include a thorough review of the third-party organisation’s operations, technical infrastructure, and compliance with NIMC’s policies and guidelines.
“It is essential to demonstrate that your organisation continues to meet the required standards to effectively participate in the enrolment of Nigerian citizens, legal residents, and related services.
“Key Details of the Revalidation Process: Documentation: You are required to submit the following documents for revalidation: Current Business Registration Certificate and updated Company Profile. Copy of the signed Memorandum of Understanding. Evidence of fees paid to acquire a license. Tax Clearance Certificate for the past three years. Evidence of compliance with NIMC’s technical specifications.
“Provide proof of training and capacity building for your staff involved in the identity enrollment process. Total NIN registered. LLCs should provide the list of sub-licensees registered under them,” the Commission stated in the notice for the revalidation exercise.
The NIMC had in 2020 licensed 203 agents across the country in 2020. Prominent among the public sector institutions licensed at that time are the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Pension Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria (through the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems Plc), National Population Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joint Tax Board, and Nigeria Postal Services.
Other public sector organisations that have issued licences include the Military Pensions Board, Abuja Enterprise Agency, Corporate Affairs Commission, National Health Insurance Scheme, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, has disclosed that his organisation remitted about N10 trillion into the purse of the federation last year.
Speaking on Wednesday during a presentation on NNPC Limited’s 2024 revenue performance and 2025 projections to the National Assembly’s joint committee on Finance, Mr Kyari the NNPC was the highest taxpayer in the country in 2024 with the N10 trillion paid to the nation, claiming the state-oil company remains the only in Nigeria to publish 100 per cent of its account statements annually.
The NNPC boss also called for a forensic audit of the funds spent by the company on fuel price stabilization and ensuring uninterrupted petrol supply between January and September 2024.
“Until October 1, 2024, NNPCL, as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), acted as the supplier of last resort for fuel supply,” he boasted.
“A forensic audit is needed to determine the financial obligations of NNPCL and any owed entities. Our transactional accounts are transparent and published annually, reinforcing our status as the top taxpayer and the highest contributor of royalties and dividends,” the NNPC chief added.
Regarding the company’s 2025 revenue projections, Mr Kyari indicated that a definitive figure would be provided after the upcoming board of directors meeting in two weeks, assuring the committee that the parameters for the 2025 budget were both realistic and achievable.
Recall that last year, the NNPC claimed that the 125,000 barrels per day Warri Refinery was operating at 60 per cent capacity and will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha. after the first 110 barrels per day refinery in Port Harcourt was operational.
The NNPC also noted that Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 barrels per day second refinery in Port Harcourt will consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Boko Haram must put an end to its vicious killing spree in the northern part of Nigeria, the Amnesty International (AI) has declared.
In a statement to condemn the killing of more than 40 civilians by the terrorist group, AI said Boko Haram must be held to account for its years of atrocities, including war crimes in the country.
On Sunday, January 12, 2025, members of the terror organisation attacked the victims on farming communities in Borno State, killing the inhabitants at close range.
In the statement, AI condemned in strong terms “the executions of these civilians which, once again, shows Boko Haram’s utter disregard for the sanctity of human life and for rules of international humanitarian law.”
“Boko Haram must be held to account for its years of atrocities, including war crimes,” the organisation declared in the statement.
“Our findings show that Boko Haram rounded up the farmers and fishermen, separated the men and shot them at close range.
“Those who attempted to flee were pursued and killed while dozens more were injured. A search for dead bodies is still ongoing while a mass burial is being planned for those killed.
“As well as killings targeting civilians, Boko Haram continues to abduct women and girls and extensively loot property.
“The fact that such atrocities remain commonplace shows that more needs to be done to protect civilians and ensure that families of victims receive reparation and justice,” it stated.
Over the weekend, Boko Haram fighters executed over 40 farmers and fishermen at Dumba community near Baga Borno state northeast.
A resident of Baga told AI that dozens of people have been injured and many are missing. Those killed have been buried.
Since 2020, Boko Haram has been targeting farmers and farmers around the Lake Chad. The armed conflict in northeast Nigeria has been ongoing since at least 2011 and it has created a humanitarian crisis, with more than 2 million people displaced, according to the United Nations.
Amnesty International has repeatedly documented crimes under international law and other serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by both Boko Haram and the Nigerian military in the context of the conflict in northeast Nigeria.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United States government has renovated the laboratory of the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos as part of continued efforts to boost Nigeria’s counter-narcotics efforts.
The US government, through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), handed over the facility to the agency to complement efforts.
This follows the investment of approximately $500,000 by the American government to modernize and equip the chemical forensic laboratory at the NDLEA zonal office in Lagos in 2024.
The upgraded laboratory, now equipped with cutting-edge technology, enhances the NDLEA’s capacity to analyse suspicious substances and process evidence from crime scenes and suspects.
Acting US Consul General, Ms JoEllen Gorg formally handed over the keys to the new office space to NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mohammed Buba Marwa, during a ceremony attended by representatives from AFRICOM and the DEA.
Acting Consul General Gorg noted that the donation of a new office, equipped with a solar power system, represents a significant step forward in US-Nigeria security cooperation.
She noted that the new facility will provide NDLEA officers with a secure and professional environment to carry out critical investigative functions, including processing detainees and conducting post-arrest interviews.
“The U.S.-Nigeria security partnership remains strong. This donation is the latest example of the robust and productive cooperation between the U.S. government and the NDLEA,” the Acting Consul General said.
“Over the years, our joint efforts have helped build the capacity of Nigerian authorities to disrupt drug trafficking networks, dismantle clandestine meth labs, and conduct advanced forensic analyses of synthetic drugs,” she added.
On his part, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Marwa lauded the US-Nigeria security cooperation in the fight against illicit drugs and countering narcotics trafficking.
He described the US as a steadfast ally in Nigeria’s fight against drug-related crimes and noted that the collaboration has significantly enhanced the NDLEA’s operational efficiency.
Since the establishment of the NDLEA in 1990, the US Mission to Nigeria has partnered with the agency to combat narcotics trafficking which it has done through training in intelligence, evidence collection, management, and tactical skills, including equipment donation.
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