In a bid to develop the nation digitally, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami made this known in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, saying that the president's approval was based on the critical role of the NIMC in the actualization of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS) objectives.
"He was also able to secure Mr President’s approval for the provision of security as well as designation of Telecommunications Infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, regularization of improperly registered SIM cards and deactivation of unregistered ones, the deployment of over 250 digital projects across the country under his policies and supervision as well as built the capacity of over 36,000 Nigerians," She said.
Suleiman noted that the president's directive to transfer the NIMC shows the president's vote of confidence on the minister, adding that the minister of communication performed exceptionally withing his first year, resolving the country's decade-long ICT issue.
"The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the other hand has details of over 191 million mobile subscribers. Furthermore, the National Information Technology Development Agency has recorded huge successes in the development and implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), the country’s first codified data protection regulation. The Agency has also reached an advanced stage on the implementation of the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI). Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) also provides services to Government Agencies – Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service," the spokesperson said, while explaining the need for NIMC, NITDA, NCC, and GBB to work in synergy.
"We therefore urge all eligible individuals to enroll as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister is assuring Nigerians as well as residents that appropriate measures will be put in place to ensure that opportunities for enrolment are provided to all." Suleiman added.
