Since the Nigerian government mandated its citizens to enrol for the National Identification Number (NIN), Nigerians have not had an easy process, from waking up early to be at the crowded enrollment centre to not being among the selected limit for the day.
Some desperate individuals fall victim to exploitation, as some enrollment officers charge citizens exuberantly. NIN is required for SIM registration, security checks, bank updates, account opening, international passports and other verifications in the country. This puts citizens in desperate need of the NIN.
The main issue is not citizens making time for enrollment but the hassle attached to the process.
Operational issues also impede the process; they include network issues. You could successfully get a slot to be enrolled, but the network could get you pending. Issues also arise from capturing photographs and fingerprints.
In a conversation with Techpression, Lagos resident, Amara, said the experience was really discouraging as she had to keep going for days. She exclaimed that “ we even had to contribute to fuel the generator of the NIN place, for them to have light to do the enrollment!”
Ola who also lives in Lagos had an unpalatable experience as some officials were extorting money from residents to jump the queue and get their enrollments done.
There is then the issue of linkage of the NIN with the Bank Verification Number (BVN), particularly for older bank operators whose BVN begin with 221 and 222.
Despite the hassles faced by many residents, Licia from Niger State shared her stress-free experience, explaining that the process took her only minutes. She also added that “my mother went recently in the morning and came back not long after. Maybe it is because Niger state is not as populated as many major cities in other parts of the country.”
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History of NIMC
Established by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act No. 23 of 2007, the NIMC is responsible for the following: creating, owning, operating, maintaining, and managing the National Identity Database in Nigeria; registering individuals covered by the Act; assigning a Unique National Identification Number (NIN) and General Multi-Purpose Cards (GMPC) to Nigerian citizens and legal residents; and issuing these cards.
Token General Multi-purpose cards, the National Identity Database, the assignment of the National Identification Number (NIN), and the establishment of the NIMC are all outlined in the NIMC Act of 2007, which also grants the NIMC the authority to issue such cards. The Commission is also granted the authority to establish rules about its operations by the Act.
The aims and objectives of National Identification Number
The National Identification Number (NIN) establishes an individual’s identity as a Nigerian and also serves to link all of that person’s data to the National Identity Database.
To verify an individual’s identity, the government issues a number called a National Identification Number, or NIN (pronounced “Neen”). This is a 1-of-1, permanently assigned, and completely random number.
The infrastructure responsible for managing the NIMC mandate is the National Identity Management System (NIMS). It ensures the following:
Distinctly identifying citizens.
Ensuring no one can be socially or economically excluded.
Revolutionises the distribution of social welfare programmes, particularly for individuals who are no longer eligible for them.
It lets individuals get what’s rightfully theirs.
This aids in the removal of duplicate identities.
This aids in the fight against fraud.
Sharing infrastructures lowers resource costs.
NCC responds to complaints on NIN issues.
With the recent barring of Nigerians’ SIM cards by telcos, due to the the non-linkage of NIN to sims, citizens have yet again raised their concerns to understand the reason for the NIN hitches.
In response to the uproar, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, explained that duplication of NIN is responsible for the new series of complaints from subscribers whose SIMs have been barred despite linking them to their NINs.
The commission’s Director of Compliance, Mr Efosa Idehen, revealed the challenge at a recent media briefing in Lagos.
According to Idehen, “On the issue of already registered SIMs and NIN, the issue is that some of those SIMs were registered with duplicated NINs.
“When an audit of the system is carried out, actual owners of the NINs reclaim them. We have a lot of things that people do within the industry, especially SIM-NIN linkage for money purposes. Yes, people register their SIMs and try to link their NINs but the agents doing those registrations do a lot of damage.
“We are seeing this and want to correct it. We want a situation where when people say they are the owners of their SIMs, there is no doubt,” he added.
Role of NIN in ensuring Nigeria’s security
Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) system helps fight crime and terrorism. Nigeria’s National Identity (NiN) system makes it tougher for thieves to hide.
Increased Security
One of NiN’s main benefits is improved identification accuracy. NIN helps law enforcement authenticate identities swiftly and efficiently, making it harder for criminals to impersonate others or commit fraud. NIN can also track criminal activities and find patterns to prevent future crimes.\
Reducing Identity Theft
Identity theft is a severe issue in Nigeria, and NIN helps. By giving each person a unique identification, criminals can’t easily take and use someone’s identity. This can shelter Nigerians from financial losses and other harm.
Boosting National Security
In addition to its benefits for law enforcement, NIN can also boost national security. By providing a central database of citizens’ information, NIN can help track individuals’ movement and identify potential threats. This can be especially helpful in the fight against terrorism and other forms of extremism.
Overall, NIN is a valuable tool that can help to make Nigeria a safer country. By improving identification accuracy, curbing identity theft, and boosting national security, NIN can help to protect Nigerians from crime and terrorism.
Untapped Potential: Nigeria’s Security Operatives Underutilised NIN
The Nigerian National Identification Number (NIN) system is underutilised in the fight against insecurity despite its potential. Why is this fantastic technology gathering dust, and what threats lurk in its untapped potential?
Excuses in the Dark
Several valid and confusing reasons could explain NIN’s underperformance. The biggest obstacle to integrating NIN data into security operations may be infrastructure and staff. Concerns about data privacy and misuse may also be involved. The lack of defined rules and protocols for using NIN for security may also be contributing to delays.
Dangers Lurking in the Shadows
The consequences of this underutilisation are far-reaching. Criminals and terrorists operate with greater impunity when their identities remain shrouded in anonymity. It hampers investigations, prevents proactive measures, and encourages criminal activity. Unidentified SIM cards linked to nefarious activities pose another threat, while financial crimes and identity theft flourish without robust identification systems.
Nigeria must act swiftly to unlock NIN’s potential. Prioritising investment in infrastructure and personnel training is crucial. Addressing data privacy concerns through robust regulations and transparency can build trust and encourage cooperation. Establishing clear protocols for NIN use in security operations, along with ongoing training for security personnel, will ensure effective implementation
These concerns are why the masses and prominent Nigerians are raising questions on the maximisation of NIN and the process of linking.
Isa Pantami’s Concerns on Security
The National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM synchronisation policy have not been used to reduce insecurity in Nigeria, according to Prof. Isa Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria, on his X handle recently.
The NIN-SIM policy, which mandates that mobile subscribers link their SIM cards to their National Identity Numbers, was primarily supported by Pantami. According to him, this regulation will make it easier for law enforcement to find and apprehend offenders.
He claimed that because he supported the policy, he received death threats from criminals, but his efforts seem in vain if the legislation is not put to use in stopping crimes like kidnapping. Additionally, he held security services responsible for the spike in kidnappings and murders by not utilising the NIN-SIM data.
Pantami recently made a financial contribution to ensure the release of the five girls who were abducted in Abuja last week. The kidnappers murdered one of their sisters. Pantami asserted that the tale had moved him, and he wished to protect the sisters still alive.
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Way forward to alleviating NIN issues
Telecom expert, Salako Ezekiel, C.T.O., Eforb Company Nigeria, spoke with Techpression on the ways to curb the challenges faced with NIN enrolment and SIM linking, stating that manpower and system structure are key to ensuring a smooth process.
Salako raised concerns about poor on-the-job training for the personnel at NIMC running the NIN enrollment and linking processes, stating that there are some little admin issues that they have they blame it on the link whereas there are no issues. It could just be that they are doing something wrong. Hence if the personnel are properly trained these issues would be largely resolved.”
On the issue of network failure, Salako said “There should be more efficient links, such that when one link is down that is reaching every NIN location in Nigeria, the other one should be available or when one is low the main service should. be switched to another one.”
The Eforb boss also advised that NIMC’s backend infrastructure,“ should have two or more locations so that if there is an issue in one location, Nigeria would not feel there is a total shutdown, because they would be able to transmit from another location.”
He therefore urged the authorities to look into these issues to find a lasting solution to the challenges they are facing in the process of having a central identification system for Nigerians.
NIN is not a silver bullet, but it is a powerful tool lying dormant in Nigeria’s arsenal against insecurity and other nefarious activities. By confronting the excuses, and recognising and implementing the solutions, Nigeria can awaken the potential of NIN and forge a path towards a safer future for the citizens.
Contributors:
Olalere modupe, Ibukun Bankole , Hauwa Ali, Felicia Akindurodoye
