The Nigeria Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has registered about 115 million Nigerians, including legal residents, on its national data base so far.
This was disclosed by the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Identity Management Commission, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, at the 2-Day Roundtable discussion held with Online Publishers in Lagos recently.
The National Identity Numbering (NIN) serves as the foundational national identity required to complete all other forms of national identity cards. The registration which started since 2007 is still ongoing.
Coker-Odusote therefore sought the cooperation of all Nigerians, including private and government sectors to ensure the success of the exercise.
“I wish to seek the cooperation of everybody to ensure the success of this exercise. It is for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“The NIN is meant to promote economic growth, promote social and financial inclusion for all. But equally important is that it is also meant to protect all Nigerians, including legal residents in the country, from variety of criminal threats.”
The NIMC boss also appealed to the media, especially the online media platforms to help educate Nigerians and create awareness of the importance of having a NIN card which is valid at all times in any part of the country including overseas.
“Media has a great role to play in this endeavour. In fact, success or failure of this exercise depends a great deal on the media by publishing accurate stories about the exercise”, the DG said.
It was also revealed by the NIMC boss that about 2 million NINN cards already printed are still lying in NIMC office uncollected by Nigerians.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to launch the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) which will incorporate other identities by the first quarters of 2025.
The GMPC, capturing the biometrics of the registered citizens can be used online and offline. The GMPC will reduce the multiple cards often carried by Nigerians.
The GMPC card can be collected through the banks but no one can carry more than one GMPC card. Efforts are been made to ensure that banks key into this project to ensure seamless process of collection of the cards.
- Alex Ekemenah