By Chris Udochukwu
ABUJA – Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says the review of its enabling Act will remove all restrictions and encumbrances hitherto limiting the agency from carrying out comprehensive registration of all persons in Nigeria.
The move will also guarantee the protection of citizens’ data and confer on NIMC regulatory and enforcement powers.
Speaking before the National Assembly joint committee on population comprising members of the Senate and their counterparts in the House of Representatives, the legal officer of NIMC, Barr. Festus Esangbedo, says the new law when passed and assented to by the president – Bola Tinubu, will guarantee the security of life and property of citizens.
Meanwhile, Senator Addul Ninge sought clarification on the working synergy between NIMC and the National Population Commission (NPC) and the provision for the appointment of the agency’s director general.
Speaking on the possibility of overlapping functions between NIMC and before the committee, the DG of the agency, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote said both agencies have complementary functions. She however said the new amendment will synchronise NPC’s birth registration and empower NIMC to assign National Identity Number to citizens at birth.
On the appointment of a DG for the agency, the president, though has the exclusive right to appoint may consider the advise and recommendations of the ministry.
