NIMC Tasked to Remove Duplicate Biometric from National Database 

By Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has charged the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to eliminate the régime of duplicate biometric based databases in the national identity card management as the proliferation of biometric based identity system is not cost effective.

The order was issued  by the Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mrs. Habiba Lawal at the inauguration of the board of the  NIMC.

She appealed to the board to ensure the harmonisation and unification of the electronic identification system NIMC is presently operating.

Lawal also tasked NIMC to ensure that the remaining components of the National identity Management System (NIMS) roll out and switch over by the MDAs through the integration framework is successfully implemented.

The acting SGF reasoned that an improvement in the speed of data collection will stop the excuses often given by the MDAs as reasons for duplicated biometric options and help actualise the harmonisation programme being spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President.

The new NIMC board composed of 14 members is to be chaired by former governor of Osun State Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

It is saddled with the mandate to regulate identity management in the country, issue the National Identification Number (NIM) and ID cards to all registrable persons as well as integrating all existing identification databases in government agencies into  National Identity Database (NIDB).

Speaking on behalf of the board, Oyinlola thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for saddling them with the responsibility of providing policy direction through the appointment.

He said they will leave to expectations given the fact that the burden placed on their shoulders was a very sensitive and significant task that should be carried with sincerity and patriotism.

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