By Ngozi Onyeakusi—The National Assembly, as part of the moves to strengthen the regulatory function
of the National Identity Management Commission, has embarked on repealing and
enacting the NIMC Act No. 23. The NIMC Bill represents a significant legislative endeavour to enhance the efficacy
and inclusivity of the Identity Management System. This updated and
comprehensive bill embodies several proposed amendments designed to improve
the effectiveness and inclusivity of the Nigeria ID System. The amendments seek to fortify the foundational framework of the NIMC and its
operations by;
Expanding the Scope of Registrable Persons. The benefit to the country is a more
comprehensive and inclusive identification system, which enhances national
security, facilitates efficient service delivery, and promotes financial inclusion. The bill also aims to streamline the sharing of personal data, incorporating robust
data protection measures to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of
individuals’ personal data and foster trust among citizens in the handling of their
information. It also enhances NIMC’s administrative enforcement Power to ensure
timely and accurate compliance with ID registration requirements. The NIMC repeal and enactment bill, when passed into law, will lead to a more
streamlined registration process, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing the
reliability of the Nigeria ID System.