Buhari Approves Transfer Of NIMC To Ministry Of Communications

Buhari approves transfer of identity management agency to Communications ministry.

Nigeria may enforce mandatory use of national ID numbers by January 2021. Buhari appoints new NIMC director general.

National ID card is free, but only 19% Nigerians are registered. President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval for the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

A statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, sent to PREMIUM TIMES Monday morning, said the decision was to ensure “synergy and effective ministry supervisory mechanism is put in place to coordinate, monitor and track the progress of Federal Government’s digital transformation initiatives.”

Transferring the identity commission to the ministry, according to the statement, will aid the harmonisation of citizens’ data which will aid planning, the economy and security.

The commission which is in charge of managing national identity database for Nigerians was hitherto domiciled under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.