The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in the harmonization of the nation’s data, leveraging the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The Minister emphasized that the era of multiple ID registrations in the country is on the verge of conclusion. He made these remarks during a meeting with the MTN management team, led by CEO Karl Toriola, held in Abuja on Monday.
According to a statement released by his Media Adviser, Babatunde Alao, the NIMC has been tasked with the responsibility of harmonizing the nation’s database.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted the necessity of establishing a technology-driven data hub within the ministry. He further acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the country’s identity and security infrastructure.
The statement partly reads, “We must have an interior hub. A massive data centre where we will have all our identity information documented.
“Data harmonization is key. If we succeed at the Ministry of Interior, the success will start with NIMC. The integrity of our travel document must be restored through the harmonization of our data.
This way, our people do not have to repeat data capture processes during the passport enrolment phase when they have a valid NIN.”
He explained that data harmonisation would drastically cut down on stress for the people as well as overhead costs on the part of the government.
He said: “When we harmonize our data, there will be an exchange amongst agencies such that when our people need data for passport or BVN, with their NIN, their data can be pulled out. This will not only save us stress, cost, and energy but also help us optimise our processes.”
Tunji-Ojo noted that having a BVN number, a voter’s card number, an NIN, and a passport number at once was needless.
He said: “Information regarding issuance of driving licenses and Passports, Bank Verification Numbers, National Identity Numbers, Subscribers Identity Modules, and others should be harmonised into digital chips for planning and execution of government programmes for accelerated development.
There is no need for us to have a BVN number, a voter’s number, an NIN, and a passport number all at once, and this is why we have to work with NIMC to ensure that we harmonise all these and do away with these duplications.
“If NIMC performs well, NIS will perform better, and the police, NSCDC, and other agencies will perform admirably above par.”
