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  • We’re collaborating with NCC, security agencies to tackle kidnapping, says NIMC

    We’re collaborating with NCC, security agencies to tackle kidnapping, says NIMC

    • Court sentences three kidnappers to death

    The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Mrs. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has said the commission is working with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and security agencies to track down kidnappers and their victims.

    She said the initiative would be executed through the National Identity Numbers (NIN) and Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) databases.

    Mrs. Odusote, who did not give details of the collaboration, said some gaps had been identified as stakeholders were working to close them while addressing the security challenges confronting the country.

    The NIMC boss, who was represented by her technical assistant, Mrs. Ayobami Abiola, told reporters yesterday in Abuja after opening a stakeholders’ engagement on Nigeria Identification for Development Project (ID4D) that the loopholes that had been identified were being plugged.

    Also, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, has promised to put a regulation in place to punish phone criminals.

    Maida stated this during his maiden meeting with reporters.

    To address major issues affecting the telecoms sector, the NCC boss said he had scheduled a meeting today with CEOs of all mobile network operators (MNOs) in the country.

    Maida said security would be an area of focus, adding that the integrity of the network is important because of the volume of transactions that take place on it.

    Also, the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has sentenced three convicts to death by hanging for kidnapping and murder. The fourth suspect was discharged and acquitted.

    They were tired for kidnapping and murder of Chief Abbot Ogbobula in June 2017.

    The three convicts are: Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod.

    They were found guilty on four counts of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder.

    Read Also: Kidnapping: NIMC, NCC collaborate with security agencies on solutions

    On conspiracy to kidnap, Justice Monina Danagogo convicted and sentenced the first, second and fourth defendants to seven years imprisonment with no option of fine.

    On kidnapping, the judge convicted and sentenced the first, second and fourth defendants to death by hanging.

    On conspiracy to murder, the judge sentenced the first, second and fourth defendants to 14 years imprisonment with no option of fine, while they got death by hanging or lethal injection for murder.

    The late Chief Ogbobula was kidnapped in Ahoada and taken to Manikin Bush in Degema Local Government Area where he later died.

    Also, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has faulted a report that policemen in Kaduna State rescued a man abducted in Abuja and arrested one of the kidnappers.

    The Kaduna State Police command had reported that it rescued Segun Akinyemi who was kidnapped while driving out of his house.

    A statement by the Kaduna Police Command spokesperson Mansir Hassan said the kidnappers were taking Akinyemi to Kano State when the police swooped on them.

    But FCT police command spokesperson Josephine Adeh said the report was not true.

    Reacting to the development, she said: “Not true, please, disregard.”

  • Kidnapping: NIMC, NCC collaborate with security agencies on solutions

    Kidnapping: NIMC, NCC collaborate with security agencies on solutions

    The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote has disclosed that NIMC and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are currently working with security agencies to use the National Identity Numbers (NIN) and Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) databases to track down kidnappers and victims of kidnapping.

    Odusote who declined to give details of the collaboration said some gaps have been identified and all stakeholders are working to close up such gaps to address the security problems plaguing the country.

    The NIMC boss spoke with reporters in Abuja on Thursday, January 18, shortly after declaring open stakeholder engagement in Nigeria Identification for Development Project (ID4D) in Abuja.

    She said loopholes that have been identified are being plugged while NIMC and NCC are collaborating with security agencies to ensure infrastructures and other necessary information are harnessed to address the challenges.

    Odusote who spoke through her technical assistant, Mrs Ayobami Abiola, also said that the essence of National Identity Numbers (NIN) for citizens is to reduce incidences of corruption and implement strategic development plans.

    According to her, countries that have completed their national identity databases have been able to deploy them for development and implement social security programmes successfully.

    Addressing participants at the engagement, Mrs Odusote said NIMC would strengthen relationships with key stakeholders to ensure that established functional structures across states, local government, ward, and community levels can make enrolment for NIN more accessible to the people.

    She said following the ongoing reforms in NIMC, more vulnerable persons, especially persons with disabilities, would be captured in the national identity database as well as people who are in various Internally Displaced Persons camps in the country.

    Read Also: NIN/SIM deadline: Subscribers besiege NIMC Abuja offices

    She said President Bola Tinubu has expressed concerns about fragmented identity and the need for Nigeria to have a unified system, saying the administration is committed to changing the narratives of national identity for all Nigerians.

    She noted: “The President has expressed worry over our fragmented identity system which is causing the country huge losses in expenditure and has given us marching orders to ensure we integrate and unify our identity system. 

    “To match words with action, the President on assumption of office as Commander-in-Chief signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill now Nigeria Data Protection Act. This was to provide the needed legal framework for the protection and privacy of the data of Nigerians and legal residents.”

    “The NIN is free and for everyone. At the NIMC, we frown at all forms of extortion and will ensure anyone found culpable of extorting any potential enrollee is made to bear the full weight of the law.

    “Since my assumption of office as the DG of the NIMC, I have led several sting operations to enrolment and regional coordination centres across the country where some of our staff found extorting enrollees were handed over to law enforcement agents for prosecution.

    “Aside from working to remove all impediments and barriers to enrolment for a national ID, we are working closely with the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project (NDID4) with support from the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and European Investment Bank (EIB) in implementing series of sustainable and innovative reforms.

    “The goal is to remove all current challenges and difficulties that people face in enrolling for IDs, fostering a robust, seamless, and more inclusive enrolment system where ID is provided for everyone, and no one is left behind.

    “We are also committed to addressing the challenges and barriers that vulnerable individuals and groups, including women, persons with disabilities, IDPs and refugees face in obtaining the NIN which is needed to facilitate their access to critical services necessary for their well-being.

    She further stated: “The NIMC is fashioning ways to clear the backlog of enrolment fees owed to enrolment partners and has also developed a robust business model to incentivise all partners particularly those who will be conducting enrolment in remote and hard-to-reach communities and locations.

     “As we speak, over 300 representatives of the revalidated enrolment agents drawn from every part of Nigeria, are undergoing training on several aspects of the enrolment process including device management, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities, effective communication, best practices in customer service and grievance management.

    “This is to equip them with all necessary skills and information needed to help them interact well with applicants and integrate into communities they are commissioned to carry out enrolment.

    “We will be working on amending the NIMC Act to ensure it is in consonance with the current digital realities to ease integration with other foundational ID agencies like the National Population Commission. We are also working tirelessly on upgrading the enrolment software and ensuring the training and retraining of all licensed enrolment partners. “

  • NIN/SIM deadline: Subscribers besiege NIMC Abuja offices

    NIN/SIM deadline: Subscribers besiege NIMC Abuja offices

    As deadline for deactivation of phone lines draw closer, applicants for the National Identity Numbers (NINs) have again besieged the offices of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The situation has been made worse by students applying for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    Also, the sudden deactivation or barring of some subscribers phone lines during the week by telecoms companies have created confusion and anxiety regarding the linkage of the NIN with the Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) following the deadline by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) late last year.

    Our correspondent observed that the NIMC offices at Wuse Zone 2 and  5 in Abuja and the one in Gwagwalada have been taken over by crowd of applicants who are desperate to beat the deadline.

    Our correspondent also learnt that the sudden barring of some subscribers phone lines by telcom firms have created panic across various networks as those who linked their NIN with SIM were affected.

    Apart from fresh applicants for NIN, there are those who wanted to make corrections on their birthdays and those who wanted to add or drop some of their names. NIMC personnel, who are obviously overwhelmed by the surge in the numbers of applicants, have resorted to booking  applicants for upwards of two weeks to enable them sort out situation.

    NIMC Director-General, Mrs Coker-Odusote, it was learnt, has started a comprehensive reorganisation of the agency. Some personnel were said to have been transferred to different locations to enable the new management start its reforms on a clean slate.

    Read Also: CBN uncovers forex violations

    However, there are concerns that NCC’s  directive to telcom operators in Nigeria, including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, to implement full network barring on phone lines of subscribers would precipitate untold hardships on the citizens.

    The NCC directive issued late last year was communicated to the MNOs. The MNOs also informed subscribers and urged them to submit their NINs and those without verified NINs should do so by February 28, this year.

    According to the NCC, NINs that had been submitted but not verified, such subscribers would have their lines barred on or before March 29, same as in cases where five or more lines are linked to an unverified NIN.

    It was also gathered that where less than five lines were linked to an unverified NIN, such are to be barred on or before April 15, 2024.

    Mal Ibrahim Abubakar, who brought his daughter to the NIMC headquarters to obtain NIN for JAMB, lamented that policy makers have a way of punishing ordinary Nigerians by lumping policies and deadlines together in a manner that citizens would regret being call Nigerians.

    He said he and his daughter had been going all round Abuja to fulfil the conditions attached to obtaining the NIN. He said they have been given two weeks to return to NIMC for data capturing after fulfilling the conditions.

  • NIN/SIM deadline: applicants besiege NIMC offices in Abuja

    NIN/SIM deadline: applicants besiege NIMC offices in Abuja

    As the deadline for the deactivation of phone lines approaches, individuals applying for National Identity Numbers (NIN) are once again flocking to the offices of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

    The situation is exacerbated by the influx of students applying for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Examinations (JAMB) this year.

    Also, the abrupt deactivation or blocking of some subscribers’ phone lines by telecommunications companies earlier in the week has generated confusion and anxiety regarding the linkage of NIN with Subscribers’ Identity Modules (SIM), in response to the deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) late last year.

    It was observed that the NIMC offices at Wuse Zone 2 and 5 in Abuja and the one in Gwagwalada have been taken over by a large crowd of applicants who are desperate to beat the deadline.

    Our correspondent also learnt that the sudden barring of some subscribers’ phone lines by telecom companies has created panic across various networks as those who already linked their NIN with SIM were affected.

    Apart from fresh applicants for NIN, some wanted to make corrections on their birthdays and those who wanted to add or drop some of their names. NIMC personnel who are obviously overwhelmed by the surge in the number of applicants have resorted to booking all applicants for upwards of two weeks to enable them to sort out the situation.

    The present Director-General of NIMC, Mrs Coker-Odusote, it was learnt, has started a comprehensive reorganisation of the Agency.

    Some personnel are said to have been transferred to different locations to enable the new management to start its reforms on a clean slate.

    However, there are concerns that NCC’s directive to Telcom operators in Nigeria, including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom and other carriers to implement full network barring on phone lines of subscribers would precipitate untold hardships for the citizens.

    The NCC directive issued late last year was communicated to the MNOs. The MNOs also informed subscribers and urged them to submit their NINs and those without verified NINs should do so by February 28, 2024.

    According to the NCC, NINs that had been submitted but not verified, such subscribers would have their lines barred on or before March 29, 2024, same as in cases where five or more lines are linked to an unverified NIN.

    Read Also: NIMC to offset two-year backlog payment for service providers

    It was also gathered that where less than five lines are linked to an unverified NIN such lines are to be barred on or before April 15, 2024.

    Mal Ibrahim Abubakar who brought his daughter to the NIMC Headquarters to obtain NIN for JAMB lamented that policymakers have a way of punishing ordinary Nigerians by lumping policies and deadlines together in a manner that citizens would regret being called Nigerians.

    He said he and his daughter had been going all around Abuja to fulfil the conditions attached to obtaining the NIN.

    He said they have been given two weeks to return to NIMC for data capturing after fulfilling the conditions.

  • NIMC to offset two-year backlog payment for service providers

    NIMC to offset two-year backlog payment for service providers

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has promised to clear in the first quarter of this year the outstanding payment owed to its Front-End Partners (FEPs) in the last two years.

    The commission’s Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, made the promise in a statement in Abuja by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke.

    The director general sympathised with the FEPs, expressing concern that they had been running their businesses for two years without payment.

    Read Also: Swartz is Chevron’s new MD

    She said: “The National Identity Management Commission under my leadership has conducted a revalidation exercise to review the outstanding payments, which the new management inherited with a view to offsetting the debt after going through due audit process to validate the claims made by the FEPs.

    “In the process, we found out that some of the invoices submitted by the FEPs did not tally with the enrolment figures shown on the database, thus prompting the revalidation exercise to confirm the true and accurate enrolment information.

    “Notwithstanding, we are wrapping up the audit process, and the activation of the FEPs will be done according to the outcome of the validation exercise.”

    “We sympathise with our partners over the delay and appeal for understanding, especially as the new NIMC management is just a few months in the saddle and has been working on resolving all inherited debts.

    “Unfortunately, the previous management could not clear the outstanding dues because of lack of funds, but we are working hard to source for the funds to clear the debt.

    “I, therefore, use the opportunity to reiterate that the revalidation exercise was aimed at sanitising the system as well as ensuring efficient and effective enrolment processes in line with international best practices of securing citizens’ data.”

  • Data management: CSO advocates adequate funding of NIMC

    Data management: CSO advocates adequate funding of NIMC

    A civil society, Citizen Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has urged the Federal Government to properly fund the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for effective planning.

    The Executive Director of CASER, Frank Tietie, said that the financial support was needed, noting that beyond the management of identity and helping security agencies with data, the commission could help in specific and accurate policy implementation.

    He said: “As an advocacy organisation, we are driven by our social responsibilities to support government agencies for the purpose of achieving fundamental objectives of government policies.

    Read Also: ‘NIMC to assist states build robust database’

    “We have emphasised the role of NIMC to development and in the improvement of living standards of Nigerians.

    “We believe that if NIMC will be able to carry out its functions and giving the needed financial support, it will be easier to have data for the purpose of economic planning and lives will be better for Nigerian citizens.”

    Tietie explained that lack of data was responsible for the basic problems of the country as it affected the social and financial inclusion of the citizenry.

  • France award for ex- NIMC boss

    France award for ex- NIMC boss

    Erstwhile Director General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz, was honoured  in Paris  as the Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) presented him with an award for his outstanding contributions.

      Recognised as a founding member and pioneer Chairman of the SIA Advisory Council, Aziz was praised for his role in establishing universal interoperability standards and influencing crucial decisions impacting Nigeria and Africa.

    Read Also: ‘NIMC to assist states build robust database’

    The  council acknowledged Aziz’s efforts in advocating for fair contractual agreements and technology services for NIMC and other technology-dependent agencies in Nigeria. It highlighted  Aziz’s influence on the European Economic Interest Groups under the SIA, shaping decisions for the benefit of the nation.

  • ‘NIMC to assist states build robust database’

    ‘NIMC to assist states build robust database’

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has pledged to work with state governments to build accurate and reliable databases.

     The commission said this is part of efforts to ensure that states make adequate provisions for the needs of the citizenry.

     Director General/CEO of the agency Abisoye Coker-Odusote said this while receiving the General Manager of the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

     The director-general said the collaboration would make it easy for states to use NIMC’s database to improve service delivery and policy formulation.

     In a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ayodele Babalola, she said: “I admit that the age we are in is that of collaboration. In order to have a meaningful impact, it is important that we partner with each other.

    Read Also: Healthcare delivery: FG seeks private sector help to bridge procurement funding gap

     “As no man is an island, so we have to continue to push the limits by leaving our comfort zones until the collective desire of seeing the country move forward is achieved.”

     In her remarks, the LASSRA GM explained that the purpose of the visit was to explore possible ways for the two government agencies to collaborate using efficient strategies for an effective identity capturing of citizens and residents.

    Adebiyi-Abiola said: “It is no news that we work together to ensure that Nigeria as a nation and Lagos State give citizens and residents the best in terms of social welfare and other basic amenities, but this has to be achieved using a systematic approach that shows that the government is responsible and responsive to its citizens.”

    She explained that a major advantage of the registration system is the ability to identify and locate specific individuals as long as they reside in Lagos and are registered with the Agency, thereby strengthening the security system of the state.

  • NIN enrollment: NIMC revalidates front end partners centres

    NIN enrollment: NIMC revalidates front end partners centres

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has confirmed the revalidation of the licences of Front End Partners (FEPs) who operate enrollment centres.

    The acting Director-General/CEO of the commission, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said all enrollment activities at the FEP centres have been temporarily put on hold pending the conclusion of the process.

    She explained that the move was part of NIMC’s commitment to driving operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with the highest standards of data security amongst the FEPs.

    She said: “The exercise will also ensure seamless NIN enrolment and provision of modification services whilst it eliminates infractions.

    Read Also; Ribadu: Security has improved under Tinubu

    “The Commission however wishes to apologise for any inconvenience encountered at all FEP centres in the process of NIN enrolment during the revalidation exercise.

    “To ensure that this exercise does not affect the general public, NIN enrolment, data modifications, and other NIMC-offered services are ongoing at all NIMC centres in the local government and state offices nationwide whilst we are working on a contactless solution for diasporans.”

    The NIMC boss added that the exercise will be concluded in the shortest possible time while soliciting support for its success.

    She added: “NIMC assures the general public that the revalidation exercise will be concluded in the shortest possible time, as all necessary resources have been deployed to ensure its quick conclusion.

    “The exercise will also provide an insight into the level of indebtedness inherited from the past management

    “It is actually the first step towards clearing the backlog of payments due to the FEPs.

    “A list of all the LGAs and state office centres and their locations where NIN enrollment is ongoing is available on the NIMC website, www.nimc.gov.ng.”

  • Minister advocates harmonization of identity verification as NIMC launches digital app

    Minister advocates harmonization of identity verification as NIMC launches digital app

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday called for the harmonization of all identity and data related information of citizens of the country to fast-track economy growth and development.

     Dr Tunji-Ojo who described the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, as a sleeping giant,  said time had come for the country to harmonise citizens digital identity in seamless and less cumbersome way for the country to achieve the eight points agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

     According to him,  information regarding issuance of driving license and Passports,  Bank Verification Number, ( BVN), National Identity Numbers,  NIN and Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) and others should be harmonised into digital chips for the purpose of planning and execution of government programmes for accelerated development. 

    Tunji-Ojo made the remarks at the 5th Commemoration of National Identity Day organised by NIMC at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. NIMC also inaugurated a new online/ digital  application (App) to enable citizens perform seamless registration and change data online. 

    The minister said verification of identity and digital assets are the new oil in modern economy across the world as citizens could hardly engage in economic activities without identity verification,  stating that Nigeria should take advantage of the opportunities in the sector to enhance citizens welfare and progress.

     The minister said:”We live in the modern digital age where a secure and verifiable identity is vital for any set system to work. Think about it, you can’t access bank services and get ATM cards without proving your identity.

    Read Also: NIMC moved to Interior Ministry to speed up passport issuance

     “You can’t even engage with others on online social media platforms without first verifying your identity. So identity is key in our everyday lives, which is why we commemorate this Day today.

     “I have stated that the harmonization and management of national identity is a major means of mitigating and controlling crime as well as for national development.

    ” With a database of over 100 million National Identification Numbers in the National Identity Database, NIDB, NIMC provided essential access to attaining this goal along with other major stakeholders.

     “As a member of the Ministry of Interior family, NIMC joins in with other sister agencies in not only improving access by the general public to services like passport acquisition and renewal but also the likes of efficient border security technology, effective handling of insecurity around the country, protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, reformation and reintegration of rehabilitated offenders in the society as well as improved emergency and fire response times.”

     “It is fitting then that the theme for today is Identity as a Catalyst for Nigeria’s development. We are all stakeholders in ensuring the successful implementation of positive policies regarding national identity as it affects government social safety net and financial inclusion programmes.”

    The Director General/ CEO of NIMC,  Engr Abisoye Coker Odusote  said the gathering was not only to commemorate the 5th National Identity Day as done globally,  but acknowledge the unique roles of identity in shaping the development of nations.