NIMC Reaches 100,000 Weekly Registration

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), yesterday said it had met its target of registering 100,000 Nigerians per week.

Umar Abdulhamid, deputy director, Corporate Communications of NIMC, disclosed the number to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos

Abdulhamid said the target was met through NIMC offices in the states, including the Federal Capital Territory, and Enrolment Centres in about 220 local government areas.

“An average of 40 people are enrolled per system of 10 enrolment units in every enrolment centres across the country. NIMC has also commenced enrolment in some special Enrolment Centres such as Nigerian Air Force Base, Immigration Offices, universities and some hotels in the FCT,’’ he said.

“It takes meticulous planning and a regime of adherence to technical standards to establish an enrolment centre. We ensure we get it right each time and in each location because one wrong data input can destablise the entire process,’’ he said.

He commended Nigerians for cooperating with the commission’s personnel toward the success of the ongoing registration.

“Initially there were very strong reservations and apathy toward the exercise.

“We are glad that we are beginning to get positive response from the people regarding the pre-enrolment portal we introduced. The turnout is now very impressive,’’ he said.

He appealed to members of the public to take the advantage provided by the registration.

“It will help to protect you from identity theft and fraud by providing a simple, reliable, sustainable and universally acceptable means of confirming your identity at all times.

“It will make life easier by providing Nigerians with an easy and convenient means of providing their identity anywhere in Nigeria and beyond.

“It will also help to reform our political process by facilitating the work of the managers of the electoral process.’’ Abdulhamid said.

He also restated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the exercise was successful.

“We are committed to deploying an infrastructure based on global best practice and conforming to specific international standards.

“We are committed to ensuring that we have a single version of personal information of Nigerians in one location based on global standards that will render it acceptable by all,’’ he said.