The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched a self-service smartphone application that allows Nigerians to apply for a national identification number (NIN) and digital identification.
On Saturday, the application was introduced in Abuja during an event commemorating Nigeria’s fifth Identity Day.
Chucks Onyepunka, NIMC’s director of information technology, said during the launch of the mobile application that the device will make NIN enrolment easier for Nigerians.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, had stated that harmonising all of the country’s databases is critical to reducing crime and boosting national growth.
“With a database of over 100 million National Identification Numbers in the National Identity Database, NIDB, NIMC provided essential access to attaining this goal along with other major stakeholders,” the minister said.
“As a member of the ministry of interior family, NIMC joins with other sister agencies in not only improving access by the general public to services like passport acquisition and renewal but also the likes of efficient border security technology, effective handling of insecurity around the country, protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, reformation and reintegration of rehabilitated offenders in the society as well as improved emergency and fire response times.”
The minister stated that work has begun to ensure that the country has a centralized database.
In addition, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, interim director-general (DG) of the NIMC, stated that identity is more than a card or a number.
“It unlocks access to essential services, social benefits, and pathways to personal and economic growth,” Coker-Odusote said.
“It stands as a testament to our individuality while serving as a bridge to our shared humanity.
At the National Identity Management Commission, our vision remains unwavering: to provide every citizen and legal resident with a digital primary identity, making it a universal reference point.”
Our objective at the National Identity Management Commission is unwavering: to equip every citizen and legal resident with a digital primary identity that serves as a universal reference point.”
She went on to say that Nigeria must keep developing its digital public infrastructure (DPI) since it has the capacity to change people’s lives.
The agency stated that the software would be ready for download soon on the Google and iOS app stores.
Recall that so many people have been extorted by NIMC staff during NIN registration across the country in a recent investigation.