Federal Government to Harmonize Citizens’ Data and Eliminate Multiple ID Registrations, Says Minister

By Daniel Edu

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Federal Government is planning to invest in harmonizing the country’s data through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), with the aim of putting an end to multiple ID registrations in Nigeria.

Speaking during a meeting with the MTN management team, led by CEO Karl Toriola, in Abuja, the Minister emphasized that the NIMC has been tasked with the responsibility of harmonizing the nation’s database.

Tunji-Ojo highlighted the need for Nigeria to establish a technology-driven data hub within the Ministry of Interior. He also mentioned President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the country’s identity and security infrastructure.

He stated, “We must have an interior hub. A massive data centre where we will have all our identity information documented. Data harmonization is key. If we 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 our data. This way, our people do not have to repeat data capture processes during the passport enrolment phase when they have a valid NIN.”

The Minister emphasized that data harmonization would significantly reduce stress for citizens and reduce government overhead costs. He explained that when data is harmonized, government agencies can easily share information, and citizens will not need to provide the same data multiple times for different purposes such as passport issuance or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs).

Tunji-Ojo further stated, “Information regarding issuance of driving licenses and Passports, Bank Verification Numbers, National Identity Numbers, Subscribers Identity Modules, and others should be harmonized into digital chips for planning and execution of government programmes for accelerated development. There is no need for us to have a BVN number, a voter’s number, an NIN, and a passport number all at once, and this is why we have to work with NIMC to ensure that we harmonize all these and do away with these duplications. If NIMC performs well, NIS will perform better, and the police, NSCDC, and other agencies will perform admirably above par.”