Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora should not fret over the security of the national database which houses the National Identification Numbers (NINs].
Coker-Odusote confirmed that robust measures were in place to safeguard the nation’s database from cyber threats.
She spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at the start of a two-day roundtable with online publishers and editors.
She also assured Nigerians that pursuant to one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the NIMC would not rest on its oars, until every citizen of Nigeria – at home and in the Diaspora – and legal residents, were captured on the country’s identity database.
She stated that everybody had the right to get digital identity to enable inclusivity and access to government programmes.
She explaIned that the SDG (16.9) sought to ensure that everyone on the earth planet had a form of identity by 2030.
Engr Coker-Odusote said that NIMC’s infrastructure adhered to the stringent ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard, ensuring that the highest standards of data protection were maintained.
Apparently referencing the recent controversy over an alleged breach of the Commission’s database, Engr Coker-Odusote said there was no breach of the Commission’s database.
She said no reach emanated from NIMC’s end, assuring Nigerians that the Commission’s database was very strong.
“We will further reinforce our existing security infrastructure,” she said.
She statef that under her leadership, “NIMC has an unwavering commitment to upholding ethical standards in data protection,” pointing out that cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and real-time monitoring systems were in place to protect the database.
According to her: “We are also very deliberate about ensuring that all partners and vendors of the commission comply with strict security standards.”
She also announced that the NIMC was very deliberate about inclusion, adding that a compelling strategy was already in place, with support from the Nigeria Digital ID4D Project to ensure that those that were at the risk of being excluded in Nigeria’s identity project were adequately covered.
She added: “From persons with disabilities, to women and children, the elderly, and those in rural and hard to reach areas, we are determined to ensure that no one is left behind.”
She said that one of the objectives of the RoundTable was “to strengthen collaboration with the media, pursuant to our determination to regularly keep the public informed about the steps being taken to secure their data, the commission’s activities, updates, success stories, as well as challenges.”
The Coordinator, Project Implementation Unit, Nigeria Digital ID4D Project, Mrs. Tito Ejenavi, had, in her remarks earlier, observed that historically, identity systems had often inadvertently marginalized certain groups due to logistical challenges and social stigmas, particularly affecting women and persons with disabilities.
“We are committed to reversing this trend by ensuring that our ID system is inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of their socio-economic status, gender, or physical abilities,” she said.
She said that foundational ID system that the NIMC was building “is no just about numbers; it’s about people and their access to rights and services.”
According to her: “By strengthening our national identity infrastructure, the NIMC and we aim to bolster Nigeria’s digital economy, enhance data protection, and close the inclusion gaps that hinder access to identification and related key services.”
She stated that: “This is particularly crucial for marginalized groups, including persons living with disabilities and the rural poor.”
In his brief remarks, the Deputy President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOPOP), Danlami Nmodu mni, commended the management of the NIMC for the initiative and assured the NIMC management that the online newspaper publishers would partner the commission in promoting its programmes and activities for the realization of its mandate and objectives.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
