The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been urged to device mobile app through which applicants can register for Nation Identification Number (NIN).
According to some applicants on the Commission’s X handle, the mobile app will ease the registration process and allow Nigerians get their NINs seamlessly.
The call for the mobile app came following the stress enrollees go through while trying to get registered The commission was also charged on the protection of the data of Nigerians.
Early this year, there was report of alleged leakage of NIN database. On March 16, the media reported that a website known as express verify was monetising the recovery of NINs and personal information from the Nigerian identification database.
The website reportedly had unrestricted access to NINs and personal details of Nigerians registered in the nation’s identity database managed by NIMC.
This incident prompted the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to heighten scrutiny of NIMC licensees after the website breached data protection protocols. In reaction to the report, the NIMC debunked the breach of the NIN database.
The Commission, in a statement, assured the public that the data of Nigerians has not been compromised, and the Commission have not authorised any website or entity to sell or misuse the National Identification Number (NIN) amongst all the identities stated in the report.
“The National Identity Management Commission (“NIMC” or the “Commission”) wishes to debunk the exposure of sensitive data of Nigerian citizens as it concerns the Commission amongst many other data-collecting agencies, as alleged and reported,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the commission has reaffirmed commitment to protection of NIN database while working on the strategies to ease to registration process. The DG/CEO of NIMC, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, reiterated the safety and protection of data in its National Identity Database (NIDB).
He said this as the country commemorated the National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day. Coker-Odusote, who spoke through the Director, Information Technology and Identity Database (IT/IDD), Engr Lanre Yusuf, in Abuja, emphasised that NIMC had put in place top-notch security architects to protect the citizens’ Data.
She assured that the Commission would ensure that the National Identification Number (NIN) Database is safe and secure.
The NIMC DG also commended the concerted efforts of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Population Commission (NPC) towards an inclusive digital identity system in Nigeria.
She reiterated the strategic partnership with the NPC and other Government agencies to enrol and issue NIN to all Nigerians, particularly children below the age of 16 years, adding that NIMC plans to go to the hinterland to enroll all Nigerians.
Furthermore, Coker-Odusote noted that over 109 million NINs have so far been issued to Nigerians and legal residents, amongst which children’s enrolment was 20 per cent.
She, however, promised that the NIMC would ensure timely and accurate NIN enrolment of all Nigerians and legal residents within the shortest time possible.
She informed Nigerians that the Improved General Multiple Purpose Card (GMPC) would be launched soon to support the Federal Government’s drive for inclusivity, social safety net programme and other programmes targeted towards the citizens.
