The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has authorised the transition to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy of the National Identity Management Commission.
The transition was placed in motion in an attempt to ensure cohesion and efficient supervisory structure of the ministry to organize, manage and document the success of digital transformation initiatives of the Federal Government.
The transition approval was focused on Buhari ‘s recognition of the crucial position of NIMC for the attainment of the objectives of the National Digital Economy Strategy, according to a statement released on Monday by the spokesperson of the Minister for communication, Uwa Suleiman.
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Suleiman also stated that the Buhari Directive was an exemplary of his vote of confidence on Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
“He has, within his first year in office, amongst others, resolved the ICT sector’s decade-long dilemma of Right of Way charges.” He said.
“He was also able to secure Mr President’s approval for the provision of security as well as designation of telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure.”
Suleiman also assigned to the Minister the control and deactivation of hazardous SIM cards, the introduction of more than 250 domestic internet initiatives as well as the capacity building for more than 36,000 Nigerians.
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She also acknowledged the need for NIMC and other agencies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Information Technology Development Agency and Galaxy Backbone Limited to work closely together under one ministry ‘s oversight to leverage what had already been accomplished.
“NIMC has so far registered around 41 million eligible enrollees for the National Identity Number. NCC, on the other hand, has details of over 191 million mobile subscribers” Suleiman stated.
“Furthermore, NITDA has recorded huge successes in the development and implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, the country’s first codified data protection regulation. GBB also provides services to government agencies.”
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For economic planning and social action Suleiman said that the NIN given by NINC was very significant, considered to be both a social security system and a civil number.