Overview of Biometric Identification System in Nigeria

Technological advancement has created and promoted inventions through innovations in cyber-culture, cyber-security, science, defense, communication methods, education, healthcare, business, etc.

Today, for the ease of identification of individuals, Biometric system of identification has also been developed through is one of technological breakthrough introduced as a result of the revolution and expansion in science and technology.

The increasing cyber crime going on and other security issues gave an impetus for the birth of Biometric identification systems for the authentication of identity and recognition of various characteristics and processes.

Implementation of a Biometric system of identification plays a significant role in controlling physical access to a working environment or other highly sensitive area. It is the most efficient and highly secure means for the identification of users and provides the best protection technique to ensure both, data and cyber security. It helps in the reduction of fraud and criminal activities.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which is saddled with the Biometric registration of Nigerians for proper identification has been on it for a number of years now, however, not much has been achieved in capturing the citizen's data with the follow up of issuing the National ID card.

Many people have filled the Biometric forms but have not had any feedback on the issuance of the National ID cards for upwards of two, three years or more. With every Nigerian captured on the registration system, it will be easy to differentiate between Nigerians and aliens living in Nigeria. It will also assist security personnel in the resolution of crimes.

On the other hand, however, Nigerian banks, at the instance of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, also embarked on the Biometric registration of all their customers. Today, all commercial bank customers, old and new, are already captured on the Biometric registration.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the Biometric registration of all bank customers has aided the law enforcement agents in apprehending and bringing financial criminals to book u dear this present government. Before the Biometric identification registration was introduced to the issuance of Driving Licence in Nigeria, there were many fake Driving Licence in the possession of many drivers in the country and this was dangerous for the populace. Today, you can verify the authenticity of a Drivers Licence by calling the number up on the National database.

Aside the significance of Biometric identification, Nigerians need to know what it comprises of, its components, its features and techniques of collection.

Biometric systems are composed of automated programs that provide identification of various physiological and behavioral characteristics of a person such as fingerprints, retina, signature, etc.

Such systems collect data through sensors, build a biometric impression and store it to verify personal traits and characteristics for identification purpose. Whenever a person passes through a biometric check, the system compares the information obtained from that check with the one already recorded during the registration process.

For an identification system to be said to be Biometric, it has to possess some properties. It must be able of decipher certain things. One of these properties is that the system must be able to decipher the uniqueness of the features of individuals. The fact is that every person in the world has his or her own unique features, traits and characteristics, and these can never be duplicated as no two individuals in the world have the same features. Not even a set of identical twins or triplets do.

No two thumbprints are the same. Another property that a Biometric system should possess is Permanence. All the features of a person must be constant over a period of time. The only thing that can alter any feature is if an accident occurred, e.g., the severance of an arm in an accident.

A person with no beard when he was registered under a Biometric system, but has now grown one after sometime, however, still has the same features underneath the beard.

Another feature is Collectability. This means that all the relevant features of an individual must be collectible and collected and measured in quantitative terms.

A Biometric system must also be seen to be credible by not being susceptible to fraudulent manipulations. Some other performance indicators for a Biometric system are efficiency and accuracy.

A typical biometric system comprises of some components and processes. These include the following:

Sensor:  This is a device that collects or detects data or trait, and converts it into a digital format.

Signal Processing Algorithms: These are Quality Control Performers that manipulate the signals received into a biometric template.

Data Storage: The data gotten from the Biometric registration are stored for preservation. From here, it can be retrieved at any time for comparison with the subject being identified.

Matching Algorithm: This refers to the comparison of a newly formed biometric template with the one or more templates created from the previously stored information in data storage.

Decision Process: Results obtained from the matching algorithms are used to make a decision that is either assisted by a person or automated. It is a system level decision.

Some of the techniques of capturing Biometric identification include the following:

Facial Recognition: This is the Biometric system used for the recognition and identification of the human face in order to allow for distinguishing one person from another. Facial expressions are also considered for facial recognition. The area of the face captured in this case include the forehead, the eyes, the ears, the nose, the lips, chin, neck and a little below the shoulder. Pictures and thermals are used for this purpose.

Fingerprint Reading:  Each individual possess a unique set of fingerprints. No two individuals have the same fingerprints. Fingerprints are recognized by the different patterns of ridges, valleys and minutiae points present on the surface of fingers. These are captured with the help of a sensor for each individual for Biometric identification purposes.

Iris Recognition: The Iris of each individual also possesses unique patterns and color. A sensor also captures this for Biometric identification purposes. In some very high security areas in Europe and America, access to some sensitive areas can only be made through Iris Recognition.

Voice Recognition: The vocal tract of an individual is also unique. This is why it is easy to know  the voice of someone you know talking without seeing that person. A sensor also captures this and it is used mostly for voice recognition and verification.

Hand Geometry Recognition: This is a Biometric technique in which various features of the hand, such as the width of hand and length of fingers are considered for identifying an individual.

Signature Recognition:  Identification of an individual is done by analyzing signatures made by every person.

Veins Recognition: One revolutionary Biometric identification system is the use of different patterns of veins in a human body for identification of that person.

DNA Matching: Another revolutionary Biometric identification technique used in identifying a person is on the basis of unique characteristics of the the DNA of that person.

NIMC should buckle up and ensure that all Nigerians are speedily captured on the Biometric identification system so we can identify who is a Nigerian and who is not.

CFA is the Founder, www.CFAtech.ng & Co-producer/Presenter,Tech Trends on Channels Television