FG to harmonize multiple ID registrations - Interior minister

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed the Federal Government plan to harmonize the multiple identity registrations that Nigerians have had to grapple with, saying there is no need why one person would have a passport number, a voter registration number, National Identity Number as well as Driving License number among others 

Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving the MTN management team led by its CEO, Karl Toriola.

The minister in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to invest in the harmonization of the country’s data through the National Identity Management Commission NIMC.

Vowing that the era of multiple ID registrations will soon be over, Tunji-Ojo said NIMC has been mandated to harmonize the country’s database as President Bola Tinubu seeks to enhance the country’s identity and security architecture.

Speaking on the significance of harmonizing the country’s data, Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for the country to have a tech-driven data-hub under the ministry.

“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 must 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", he said.

The minister explained that data harmonization will drastically cut down stress for the people as well as overhead cost on the part of the government.

He said; “When we harmonize our data, there will be an exchange among agencies such that when our people need data for passport or BVN, with their NIN, their data can be pulled out. This will not only save us stress, cost and energy but also help us optimize our processes.”

According to Tunji-Ojo, information regarding issuance of driving license and Passports, Bank Verification Number BVN, National Identity Numbers NIN, Subscribers Identity Modules SIM and others should be harmonized into digital chips for the purpose of planning and execution of government programmes for accelerated development.

He argued that NIMC, as an agency under the ministry, has the potential of re-writing the narrative where the country only has a single point of data entry.

He said; “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 harmonise 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.”

The Minister, however, pointed the role of the private sector players, such as MTN, in achieving the vision towards the harmonization of data, saying, "to do that, there must be a way to inject private partnerships to help us achieve our objectives".

“For us, we are open to partnerships from private sector players, as NIMC may not have the full financial capacity to fulfil the ambition.”