New Digital Identity Ecosystem Will Facilitate Biometric Data — NIMC

However, these hurdles will soon be overcome as the Federal Government recently launched new Digital Identity Ecosystem programme to facilitate the process of collection of biometric data nationwide within the shortest time by leveraging existing ecosystem of all government agencies.

Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, explained during the 2019 lunch time reform seminar organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPSR, that new Digital Identity Ecosystem programme will facilitate the process. Aliyu said: “The purpose of the ecosystem approach is to leverage existing capabilities and enrolment facilities of government agencies, partners and private sector organisations in Nigeria, as opposed to building new ones.”

He said this involves “coordinated efforts of all enrolment partners,” including all government agencies involved in biometric data collection as well as partners and companies in the private sector to be licensed by NIMC.

In his presentation titled, Reinventing Nigeria’s Digital Identity Ecosystem, Aziz said with the approval of the Federal Executive Council of the National Roadmap on Identity Development in Nigeria, the NIMC Regulations 2017, it becomes imperative to commence the implementation of the Mandatory usage of the National Identification Number, NIN.