The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria has announced the inauguration of the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project Ecosystem Steering Committee, a pivotal move towards the country’s digital transformation.
The Committee’s establishment, presided over by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in Abuja, is a clear indication of the Nigerian government’s commitment to embedding digital identity within the socio-economic fabric of the nation. The project’s overarching goal is to create a secure and easily verifiable digital identity for every Nigerian citizen, which is expected to streamline service delivery, enhance governance, and open up new opportunities within the digital economy.
The Steering Committee, chaired by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and comprising key ministers and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, is tasked with guiding the strategic direction of the project.
The overarching Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project is supported by several international organizations, including the World Bank, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the French Development Agency (AFD). These institutions are collaborating to create a foundational digital ID ecosystem in Nigeria, aiming to issue 148 million National Identification Numbers (NINs) by 2024. The project is designed to make Nigeria’s digital ID space more inclusive, especially for marginalized groups such as people living with disabilities, the rural poor, and women.
The International Development Association (IDA), which the World Bank controls, is also involved in funding the project. The World Bank had previously explained that the enactment of a data protection law in Nigeria was a prerequisite for releasing funds from the IDA, EIB, and AFD for the project. This law, established last June, is important for the protection of personal information and has established a regulatory framework for data processing. Following the enactment of this law last year, the project’s enrollment activities were set to begin, with the IDA extending a credit of $115 million, the AFD providing $100 million, and the EIB co-financing with $215 million.
In announcing the newly formed Steering Committee, both Senator Akume and Engr. Coker-Odusote emphasized the transformative potential of the Digital ID4D Project. They highlighted its significance in not only revolutionizing how identification and access to services are managed but also in driving socio-economic development across the nation.
Source: NIMC
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March 20, 2024 – by the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
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