The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has announced that Nigerians will now require the National Identification Number (NIN) to access social services and benefit from government palliatives.
In a statement released by the Head of the Corporate Communications Unit, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, on Tuesday, Senator George Akume highlighted that building a robust digital identity system is a key priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The statement was made on Tuesday during the opening of an Inter-Ministerial Retreat on the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
Represented by Professor Babatunde Bolaji, Akume called on all government agencies to support the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in achieving its mandate.
He commended the leadership of the NIMC, led by Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, for its efforts in advancing the national identity system.
“The provision of digital identity for all Nigerians is essential for ensuring that social services and palliatives reach the poor and vulnerable populations,” Akume said. He assured NIMC of his support in implementing reforms through the ID4D Project to strengthen the national identity system.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu, praised the achievements of the NIMC and the ID4D team. He reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with NIMC to ensure that the NIN becomes a gateway for accessing critical services for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
The NIMC Director-General, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by Ayobami Abiola, Technical Assistant on Policy and Partnerships, expressed gratitude to the SGF and the Minister for their support.
