As part of concreted drive by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to deepen the value of National Identity Number (NIN), it has gazetted and published five (5) Regulations.
The gazetting stemmed from the express approval received from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami in November, 2017.
A press statement signed by the head, Corporate Communication at NIMC, Loveday Ogbonna, listed key contents of the gazette as follows; Mandatory Use of the National Identification Number (NIN) Regulations, 2017; Nigeria Biometrics Standard Regulations, 2017; Registration of Persons and Contents of the National Identity Database Regulations, 2017; Access to Register Information in the National Identity Database Regulations, 2017; and Licensing of the Frontend Services of the National Identity Management Commission Regulations, 2017.
According to NIMC’s General Manager, Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Services (LR&CS), Mrs. Hadiza Dagabana, the gazette was essential towards the realization of the NIMC mandate in the coming years.
She explained that “With the increase and expansion of the Commission’s activities, the new policy for the implementation of the NIMS and the desire of the Commission to develop the identity eco-system in Nigeria as well as meet its mandate of harmonizing all identity related databases in the country, it is necessary to promulgate Regulations which consist of the set of principles, practices, policies, processes and procedures to be utilized to achieve the desired objectives”.
“The Regulations will ensure that the Commission actualizes and effectively delivers on the National Identity Management System (NIMS) project in the coming years,” she said.
Business Hilights recalls that the Commission headed by seasoned IT tactician, Engineer Aliyu Aziz, had in November 2016 announced the commencement process to document and publish these regulations, pursuant to Sections 27 and 31 of the NIMC Act, 2007 which provides for the Commission to make supplementary regulations to cover the various services and offerings of the Commission.
During the period, draft copies of the regulations were widely circulated to various governments, private and security agencies as well as the general public, inviting comments, inputs and opinions, after which the comments were reviewed by the Committee charged with the development of the strategy for the implementation of the NIMC regulations.
Only last month, the draft was sent to the AGF who instantly gave his express approval.
NIMC noted however that the framework for the implementation of the Regulations, which will include rules of engagement, criteria, and terms of conditions, etc., will be published to ensure enforcement and compliance as part of awareness build up.
