Owing to the firm resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria to develop and implement an effective national identity management system for Nigeria within the next three years, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) charged to midwife this initiative has signed a memorandum of Understanding with two consortiums -chams and One Secure Card (SecureID) for the provision of data capture, processing, personalization and additional services.

At a recently held e-payment Breakfast forum in Lagos, the Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Chris Onyemenam informed stakeholders and participants that the commission tends to used highly developed biometric technology to distinctively and clearly identify all registered individuals and access to the finished database will not only help streamline processes, it will also enhance and make quality service delivery across government agencies and parastatals a reality  not to mention aid planning and resource allocation at all tiers of government. He said, the project the newest scheme so far in the field of identity management will no doubt be the most comprehensive having developed and successfully implemented identity management schemes for the FCDA, Delta State Civil Service and the Nigerian Bar Association.

Taking into consideration these and other pre-existing identity databases, part of the objective of this new national identity database will be to synchronize and integrate all such databases into the national identity management infrastructure.

Experts at the forum, say that the move by the Federal Government through the commission is a clear indication of its resolve to partner with the private sector to make available the much needed social infrastructure that would enable the government deliver on its key responsibilities-securing lives and property, providing access to consumer credit, alleviating poverty and improving Nigeria’s image within the international community.

The issued card, being a true multipurpose card will serve a range of  purposes, especially since data to be stored on the chip include personal information, biometrics, residency reference numbers for immigration e-passports, drivers license etc.