By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian government has expressed a fresh commitment to the harmonisation of the country’s data through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who said that his Ministry was committed to the success of the project, assuring that the days for multiple ID registration would soon be over.
Mr Tunji-Ojo, while hosting the MTN management team led by its chief executive, Mr Karl Toriola, earlier this week in Abuja, disclosed that NIMC has been mandated to harmonise the country’s database as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeks to enhance the country’s identity and security architecture.
Reiterating the importance of harmonising the country’s data, the Minister harped on the need for the country to have a tech-driven data hub under the Ministry.
“We must have an interior hub, a massive data centre where we will have all our identity information document,” the Minister emphasized.
The Minister drew attention that data harmonisation is necessary, if we must succeed at the Ministry of Interior, the success will start with NIMC. The integrity of our travel document must be restored through the harmonization of data.
He stated, “Our people do not have to repeat data capture processes during the passport enrolment phase when they have a valid NIMC.
Mr Tunji-Ojo, further explained that data harmonization would drastically cut down on stress for the people as well as overhead costs on the part of the government.
“When we harmonise our data, there would be an exchange amongst agencies such that when our people need data for passport or BVN, with their NIN, data can be pulled out, he said.
He stated this would not only save Nigerians stress, cost and energy but also help to optimize the processes.
He added that information regarding the issuance of driving licenses and passports, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), national identity cards, Subscribers Identity Modules (SIMs), and others should be harmonized into digital chips for planning and execution of government programmes to accelerate development.
