National Assembly Moves to Strengthen NIMC’s Regulatory Functions

The National Assembly has moved to repeal the 2007 National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Establishment Act and enact a new bill to strengthen the regulatory functions of the commission.

Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications Unit of the NIMC disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

It would be recalled that this is coming as Nigeria’s National Identity Number enrollment surpassed the 107 million mark as of May 2024.

If enacted, the Commission said the new bill will ensure the efficacy and inclusivity of the Identity Management System (IMS).

According to him, the amendment seeks to fortify the foundational framework of the NIMC and its operations by expanding the scope of registrable persons.

“This updated and comprehensive bill embodies several proposed amendments designed to improve the effectiveness and inclusivity of the Nigeria ID System.

“The benefit to the country is a more comprehensive and inclusive identification system, which enhances national security, facilitates efficient service delivery and promotes financial inclusion.

“The bill also aims to streamline the sharing of personal data, incorporating robust data protection measures to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ data and foster trust among citizens in the handling of their information.

“It also enhances NIMC’s administrative enforcement Power to ensure timely and accurate compliance with ID registration requirements.

“The NIMC repeal and enactment bill, when passed into law, will lead to a more streamlined registration process, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing the reliability of the Nigeria ID System”, the commission stated.