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  • NIN enrolment: Verification agents, others to undergo security vetting as NIMC suspends amputee enrolment

    NIN enrolment: Verification agents, others to undergo security vetting as NIMC suspends amputee enrolment

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that all Licensed Verification Agents,  Front End Partners,  (FEPs) and Diaspora Front End Partners (D-FEPs) are to undergo rigorous security vetting to ensure global best practices in identity management and registration.

     NIMC also said it has temporarily suspended bypass enrollment (amputees enrollment) to prevent abuse of the processes. 

    According to the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke, the steps are taken to prevent abuses and ensure the sanctity of citizens’ data in its databases.

     Adegoke in a statement said the Director General of NIMC,  Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote reaffirmed NIMC’s “commitment to providing secure identity services and protecting the citizens’ data in line with its mandate as Nigeria’s foundational identity provider.”

     “In pursuit of this goal, the Commission has implemented enhanced measures to safeguard the information stored in its National Identity Database.

     “These actions align with the commitment outlined by the Director-General/CEO, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, upon assuming office in August 2023. 

    “Engr Coker-Odusote emphasised that the NIMC collaborates with relevant security agencies to uphold the utmost data security standards and regulatory compliance,” Adegoke said.

     He said as part of the new security measures,  all Licensed Verification Agents, Front End Partners (FEPs), and Diaspora FEPs would undergo rigorous security vetting to ensure adherence to global best practices in identity management. 

    Read Also: Verification agents, others to undergo security vetting as NIMC suspends amputee enrolment

    He warned  that any infractions from the agents would be visited with severe sanctions by established regulations and the nation’s laws.

     Adegoke said :  “Furthermore, NIMC affirms that law enforcement authorities have been authorised to crack down on and apprehend individuals involved in online phishing schemes targeting citizens’ data from other sources.

     “The Commission has received numerous reports regarding fraudulent online platforms compelling Nigerians to submit their personal information for National Identification Number (NIN) modification or enrollment services.

     “Perpetrators of these illegal activities will be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

     “In addition, the Commission has temporarily suspended the bypass enrollment process to prevent abuse and rectify any irregularities.

     ” NIMC will communicate with the public regarding the resumption of the bypass process later.”

  • Verification agents, others to undergo security vetting as NIMC suspends amputee enrolment

    Verification agents, others to undergo security vetting as NIMC suspends amputee enrolment

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that all Licensed Verification Agents,  Front End Partners,  (FEPs) and Diaspora Front End Partners (D-FEPs) are to undergo rigorous security vetting to ensure global best practices in identity management and registration. 

    NIMC also said it has temporarily suspended bypass enrollment (amputees enrollment) to prevent abuse of the processes. 

    According to the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke, the steps are taken to prevent abuses and ensure the sanctity of citizens data in its databases. 

    Adegoke, in a statement, said the Director General of NIMC,  Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote reaffirmed NIMC’s “commitment to providing secure identity services and protecting the Citizens’ data in line with its mandate as Nigeria’s foundational identity provider.”

    “In pursuit of this goal, the Commission has implemented enhanced measures to safeguard the information stored in its National Identity Database. 

    “These actions align with the commitment outlined by the Director-General/CEO, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, upon assuming office in August 2023. 

    “Engr Coker-Odusote emphasized that the NIMC collaborates with relevant security agencies to uphold the utmost data security standards and regulatory compliance,” Adegoke said. 

    He said as part of the new security measures,  all Licensed Verification Agents, Front End Partners (FEPs), and Diaspora FEPs would undergo rigorous security vetting to ensure adherence to global best practices in identity management. 

    He warned  that any infractions from the Agents would be visited with severe sanctions by established regulations and the nation’s laws.

    Adegoke said :  “Furthermore, NIMC affirms that law enforcement authorities have been authorized to crack down on and apprehend individuals involved in online phishing schemes targeting citizens’ data from other sources. 

    Read Also: NIMC captures 107 million Nigerians in database, partners security agencies to check crimes

    “The Commission has received numerous reports regarding fraudulent online platforms compelling Nigerians to submit their personal information for National Identification Number (NIN) modification or enrollment services.

    ” Perpetrators of these illegal activities will be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

    “In addition, the Commission has temporarily suspended the bypass enrollment process to prevent abuse and rectify any irregularities.

    ” NIMC will communicate with the public regarding the resumption of the bypass process later.”

  • NIMC captures 107 million Nigerians in database, partners security agencies to check crimes

    NIMC captures 107 million Nigerians in database, partners security agencies to check crimes

    The director general of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote on Friday, May 10, said about 107.3 million Nigerians have been captured so far in the national identity database with their unique National Identity Numbers (NIN).

    He said efforts have also reached the advanced stage for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to harmonise their identity database with NIMC for the country to have a Central Identity database.

    Odusote said NIMC is already collaborating with 14 institutions of government such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Banks, Telcos, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) among others.

    Speaking at the NIMC headquarters in Abuja during her maiden interaction with newsmen, Odusote, said a unique identity database for all Nigerians would unlock opportunities and harness resources for the growth and development of the country.

    “Nigeria needs to exit keeping multiple identities of citizens in silos through different agencies, we must have a central system, and that is why we are upgrading our infrastructures.

     “Obtaining NIN should be within a minimum period especially when our system has been upgraded, and we are building capacity at all levels from the network infrastructure perspective to software areas down to the database.

    “We are working on increasing the capacity that we have, we are trying to increase from 100million to 250million, and the process will take us a minimum of 6 months to 9 months. But we are sure we will be there,” Coke-Odusote said.

    Read Also: NITDA, NIMC partner on digital economy

    Odusote further said NIMC in collaboration with major stakeholders especially the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Police to tackle cybercrimes, terrorism and other security challenges facing the country.

    She disclosed that some fraudsters recently arrested for impersonating NIMC workers and extorting money from innocent citizens are being interrogated by security agencies, assuring that as soon as the investigation is concluded they would be charged to court for cybercrimes.

    Engr Odusote explained that Nigerians would have to pay a certain amount of money to access the new general multipurpose national identity card through financial institutions in the country, saying the card would allow them access to different digital services and enhance financial inclusion.

    “Just like how you pay to access your ATM cards in the banks, Nigerians will pay through the banks to access their cards within 48 hours. We are partnering with Afrigo to ensure seamless delivery of cards to citizens after payment to get the digital multipurpose card,” She said.

    She said applicants for the card will have to request their NIN through a self-service online portal or the banks, insisting that NIN registration remains free for citizens of the country.

    Odusote further explained that NIMC is collaborating with the Students Loan Board, NYSC, and other government institutions responsible for palliatives distribution to use the NIMC identity database for services of government to ensure accountability and eliminate ghost beneficiaries.

    She said states like Jigawa, Lagos, Kaduna, and Delta among others are currently acting as Front End Partners with NIMC for registration of their citizens in the national identity database and enjoined the media to support efforts of the Commission by raising awareness among the citizenry.

  • NITDA, NIMC partner on digital economy

    NITDA, NIMC partner on digital economy

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced a collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

    The partnership, it said was to enhance synergy between digital identity, payment ecosystems and secure seamless data exchange capabilities for Nigeria.

    NITDA, which made the announcement via its X handle yesterday, said that the alliance was to further strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

    Read Also; JAMB: 577 blind candidates to write 2024 UTME

    Also, the collaboration, it stressed, aimed to harness the potential of the innovative ecosystem and emphasise the use of public-key infrastructure (PKI) to drive the nation’s digital transformation.

    During the meeting, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, and the Director General of NIMC, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, with some management staff of both organisations, discussed various initiatives, including building DPI stacks for a secured and seamless data exchange and forming partnerships to transform the national identity system.

    To ensure a smooth implementation, a 12-man committee was set up, according to the agency

    This committee, it indicated, would play a crucial role in kick-starting and harmonising the initiatives.

    “It is expected to deliver a comprehensive implementation report within the next 4 weeks,” NITDA added.

  • Fishing expedition

    Fishing expedition

    • NIMC’s initiative to issue multiple IDs sidelines it core duty

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is planning to roll out three identity cards with payment and social service delivery capabilities expected to enhance user experience. The cards – a bank-enabled national ID, a social intervention card and an ECOWAS national biometric identity card – are billed for inauguration next month, subject to approval of the launch date by the Presidency.

    Reports cited Technical Adviser, Media and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, saying the bank-enabled national ID card would meet the needs of the middle and upper classes in the society who typically use banks. “Also, activation of the National Safety Net Card is expected to meet the urgent needs for authentication and a secure platform for government services such as palliatives. The focus will be on the 25 million vulnerable Nigerians funded by current government intervention programmes,” he stated. “Additionally, ECOWAS cards will be issued on an as-needed basis in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service,” he further said, adding that Nigerians would start getting the three identity cards within one or two months of the launch.

    “We shall be implementing the following programmes to revive the general multipurpose card issuance. First is the bank-enabled national ID card in collaboration with Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and banks, while the second programme will be a social intervention card under the National Safety Net Card. The third rollout will be an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card. We are looking at May for the possible launch, but that is also subject to presidential approval. It is just to finalise some very important details. The project will be powered by AfriGo, which is under the Central Bank, but everything stops at the table of the President,” Babalola told ‘The PUNCH’ newspaper in an interview.

    Read Also; Ondo Guber: Aiyedatiwa, Ibrahim, Akinterinwa others get certificates to contest primary Monday

    The identity agency had recently unveiled details of the proposed multipurpose national ID card. It explained in a statement that the initiative, which is a collaboration between NIMC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NIBSS, aims at broadening user options available to domestic consumers while fostering delivery of services in a more innovative, cost-effective and competitive manner. According to the agency, the bank-enabled identity card will be equipped with payment capability for all types of social and financial services, and would address the need for physical identification by allowing cardholders to prove their identity, gain access to government and private social services, promote financial inclusion for marginalised Nigerians, empower citizens and encourage greater participation in nation-building initiatives.

    NIMC’s head of corporate communication, Kayode Adegoke, said the national ID card layered with verifiable identity features was backed by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 that mandates the commission to enroll and issue a general multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents of the country. He added that only registered citizens and legal residents with National Identification Number (NIN) would be eligible for the card that would be produced according to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and be positioned as Nigeria’s default national identity card. “In addition to this functionality, cardholders will be able to use the cards as debit or prepaid cards by linking same to bank accounts of their choice. The card shall enable eligible persons, especially those financially excluded from social and financial services, to have access to multiple government intervention programs,” Adegoke stated inter alia.

    Many Nigerians would argue that the national identity scheme has always been long on promises and short on delivery. At the outset of identity registration by NIMC, the promise was that the NIN would be enabled with issuance of a general multi-purpose card to every registrant. But extremely few and privileged Nigerians have gotten the card. One could recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari was issued one in sheer act of symbolism by NIMC in 2015, while other registrants have been routinely issued registration slips with no use beyond serving record purpose of bearing their NIN. Registrants have, in effect, been shortchanged regarding the promise of utility values of the multi-purpose card. It is helpful that NIMC is now acknowledging its statutory onus to issue registrants a multipurpose card, which is one of the cards being rolled out under the new initiative. The agency is, of course, under a new leadership and that may be the factor that will make all the difference.

    Even then, the multiple cards venture by the identity commission smacks of fishing expedition when its core mandate is begging for fulfilment. The agency reported that 104.16 million Nigerians had been captured in its database as of December 31, 2023, which is less than half of the country’s 220 million estimated population. With the noose on persons yet to get registered increasingly tightening, rowdy scenes are yet being witnessed at the commission’s registration centres nationwide, signalling a pressing need to harvest those registration seekers into its data bank. This is a more urgent task confronting the identity agency in our view, and we would urge that it concentrate on its duty to register all registrable citizens and legal residents and issue them with the NIN, which is the biometric DNA of citizenship.  

  • NIMC clarifies position on new National ID card

    NIMC clarifies position on new National ID card

    The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC,  has clarified its stance on the new National Identity Card project designed to promote financial inclusion and other social services.

    The clarification became necessary following the barrage of criticisms against the new policy considered as unnecessary and a waste of resources. Major stakeholders have asked NIMC to improve on its infrastructures and conclude the ongoing capturing of citizens into its National Identity database, instead of toying with the idea of a new national identity card mid-way and taking over the roles of financial institutions.

     Due to infrastructure deficits, the Commission had encountered series of issues with its servers in the past,creating major problems for citizens who needed to link their National Identity Numbers, (NIN) with their Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) and those who were seeking the NIN for Passports issuance.

    However, the Head of Corporate Communications of the NIMC,  Mr Kayode Adegoke, clarified  in a message that “the new National ID Card is a single, convenient, and General multipurpose card (GMPC), eliminating the need for multiple cards—not three.”

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

     He said: “The single GMPC has multiple use cases:  Payments/Financial, Government intervention/services, travel, etc

     “The National Identity Management Commission is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System to deliver the payment and financial use cases.

     “The card will be powered by the AFRIGO card scheme, an indigenous scheme powered by NIBSS.

     “Applicants for the card will have to request with their NIN through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks.

    “The card will be issued through the applicants’ respective banks in line with existing protocols with the issuance of the Debit/Credit cards.

     “The card can be picked up by holders at the designated center or delivered to the applicants at the requested location at an extra cost to be borne by the applicants.”

  • NIMC clarifies position on new National ID card

    NIMC clarifies position on new National ID card

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has clarified its stance on the new national Identity card project designed to promote financial inclusion and other social services.

    The clarification became necessary following the barrage of criticisms against the new policy considered unnecessary and a waste of resources.

    Major stakeholders have asked NIMC to improve on its infrastructures and conclude the ongoing capturing of citizens into its National Identity database, instead of toying with the idea of a new national identity card mid-way and taking over the roles of financial institutions.

    Due to infrastructure deficits, the commission had encountered a series of issues with its Servers in the past creating major problems for citizens who needed to link their National Identity Numbers (NIN) with their Subscriber’s Identity Modules (SIM) and those who were seeking the NIN for Passports issuance.

    Read Also: Reps probe delay in release of National ID cards from 2012

    However, the Head of Corporate Communications of the NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, clarified in a message that “the new National ID Card is a single, convenient, and General multipurpose card (GMPC), eliminating the need for multiple cards—not three.”

    He said: “The single GMPC has multiple use cases:  Payments/Financial, Government intervention/services, travel, etc

    “The National Identity Management Commission is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System to deliver the payment and financial use cases.

    “The card will be powered by the AFRIGO card scheme, an indigenous scheme powered by NIBSS.

    “Applicants for the card will have to request with their NIN through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks

    “The card will be issued through the applicants’ respective banks in line with existing protocols with the issuance of the Debit/Credit cards.

    “The card can be picked up by holders at the designated centre or delivered to the applicants at the requested location at an extra cost to be borne by the applicants.”

  • NIMC’s licensees undergo more scrutiny for alleged data breach

    NIMC’s licensees undergo more scrutiny for alleged data breach

    It would no longer be business as usual with licensees of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) expected to provide verification services as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) promised a close scrutiny of their operations. 

    Our correspondent gathered that NDPC’s decision was to forestall any form of data breach from third party agents unaware of the provisions of Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and NIMC Privacy policy regarding citizens data. 

    NIMC and NDPC have recently expressed concerns over the incident of unauthorised National Identity Numbers (NIN) verification by expressverify.com and launched investigations to unreveal the truth. 

    It was gathered a third-party who, among others, was originally authorised to provide verification services to citizens and genuine businesses might have allowed expressverify.com to use its NIN verification credentials to conduct verification.

     However,  the Nigeria Data Protection Commission said at the weekend: “The circumstances surrounding this permission is still under investigation”. A statement signed by the Head of Legal Enforcement and Regulations of the NDPC,  Barrister Babatunde Bamigboye noted that no stone would be left unturned to ensure compliance with data protection and privacy of citizens by all regulatory authorities and stakeholders. 

    Bamigboye said: “To remedy this incident, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in line with established remediation protocols, barred all forms of access to its database.

    ” Though necessary, barring all forms of access affected all genuine and crucial verification requests. 

    “After a painstaking review, limited access has been granted to few establishments that are providing pivotal public services such as education and security.

    “Ongoing investigation – by relevant agencies – seeks to establish the medium through which expressverify.com obtained the credentials of bona fide third parties and to determine the liability of persons involved in line with extant laws. ” 

     At the moment, data processing by licensees generally are to be scrutinised and only those that are cleared based on credible evidence of regulatory compliance will be permitted to carry out NIN verification going forward, Bamigboye asserted. 

    Read Also: NDPC, NIMC to probe private website’s alleged access to Nigerians’ data, says Tijani

    According to him series of intensive trainings will be conducted in order to ensure that personnel and licensees are abreast of the duty of care and the standard of care mandated by the Nigeria Data Protection Act, NIMC’s Privacy Policy and other relevant regulatory protocols.

    He called on Nigerians to see NIN as an essential data for sustainable development. 

    “While existing technical and organizational measures are being strengthened to ensure the protection of this data, it is important for citizens to ensure that they are not left unidentified in various frameworks for development. 

    “It is equally important to be vigilant when sharing personal information on various online platforms,” Bamigboye stated.

  • NDPC, NIMC to investigate private website’s alleged access to Nigerians’ data, says Tijani

    NDPC, NIMC to investigate private website’s alleged access to Nigerians’ data, says Tijani

    Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) are set to investigate the alleged access to the data of registered Nigerians.

    This was stated by the nation’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani via his X handle amid the report of a private website having a free course to the data of Nigerians.

    The private website, XpressVerify.com, in a newly published report, was accused of having unrestricted access to the National Identification Numbers (NINs) and personal details of every registered Nigerian.

    According to the report, the website has since monetised the recovery of NINs and personal information on the Nigerian identification database.

    “Anybody can retrieve details such as phone numbers, full names, NIN, address, and photographs of any Nigerian whose data is on the National Identity Database with as low as N200.

    “The website does not confirm what type of person can check what type of information. There were no restrictions to the number of NIN-related data that could be fetched when FIJ checked.

    “Vendors across different Nigerian cities have been checking the NINs and phone numbers of citizens from the same database NIMC ought to maintain and keep secure,” the report said.

    In response to the report, the Communications Minister clarified that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has ceased to be under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

    He, however, vowed that the primary legal institution responsible for the identity management system and regulations of the identity sector will work closely with the nation’s data protection agency to probe the matter.

    “NIMC is no longer under @FMCIDENigeria but our @ndpcngr will work with colleagues at @nimc_ng to investigate this immediately. Thanks for sharing,” Tijani stated.

    In the wake of the development, the Nation reported that Namecheap Incorporated, the domain registrar through which the private website’s domain was purchased, indicated that it has now suspended the domain of the identity verification website.

  • NIMC pledges to address national identification system challenges

    NIMC pledges to address national identification system challenges

    The Director  General and Chief Executive Officer, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has pledged to address challenges hindering the agency from delivering on its mandate of providing a robust and universally recognised national identification system.

    She said this would be done despite challenges ranging from infrastructural constraints to logistical challenges in national identity number (NIN) enrollment facing the agency.

    She made the commitment in a statement by her Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications, Ayodele Babalola after a meeting with the Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population.

    The meeting, chaired by the committee’s Deputy Chairman and former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, provided a platform for the NIMC DG to present an overview of issues confronting the agency, ranging from infrastructural constraints to logistical challenges in National Identity Number (NIN) enrollment.

    She highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery, improving operational efficiency, and expanding the reach of NIN enrollment services across the country.

    Read Also: NIMC pledges to address national identification system challenges

    Coker-Odusote also reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to achieve its objectives.

    The director – general assured the committee of NIMC’s determination to implement the recommendations arising from the discussions.

    Daniel said there was a need for teamwork and national interest in NIMC operation while

    pledging the Senate’s support for finding sustainable solutions to the commission’s challenges.

    “The Director General’s participation in the Senate Committee meeting reflected NIMC’s commitment to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s identity management infrastructure,” the statement added.