SIM Registration, NIN, Data Privacy & FOI: What citizens should know about their data by Remmy Nweke - Telecoms Clinic @ITREALMS

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In this episode of Telecoms Clinic@ITREALMS by REMMY NWEKE, he unpacks citizens’ right to know who accesses their identity data, linking Nigeria’s FOI Act with data protection and digital accountability.

Preamble:
Across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, the intersection of identity management, telecommunications, and data governance has become both a foundation for national security and a field of contention for citizens’ rights. 

From the compulsory SIM registration and integration of National Identity Numbers (NIN) with telecom accounts, to the rising conversation around the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and data protection laws, a new question emerges at the heart of Nigeria’s digital society: who truly controls our data, and who has the right to access it?

For many Nigerians, the experience of data collection begins with necessity; linking SIM cards to NINs, obtaining Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), registering for voters’ cards, or enrolling in social welfare programmes. Yet, beyond these transactional interactions lies a broader narrative about trust, accountability, and the balance between state surveillance and citizens’ privacy.

NIMC: Our verification services fully operational for all partners, including Police Service Commission - ITREALMS

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) today affirmed that all its verification service platforms are fully functional and readily accessible to all partners, including security agencies, reports ITREALMS.

This statement addresses recent inaccurate reports suggesting a denial of access for the Police Service Commission (PSC) to NIMC's verification server, according to Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC.

NIN: Adamawa monarch lauds NIMC, pledges collaboration - ITREALMS

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The Lamido of Adamawa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa, has commended the management of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) over its successes in the registration of Nigerians for the National Identity Number (NIN).

The monarch, who gave the commendation while receiving a delegation of the Commission at the Lamido’s Palace, Yola, recently, pledged his support to NIMC towards the implementation of its mandate.

NIN machine @Niger Republic: Folayan tasks NIMC to investigate - ITREALMS

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An information technology (IT) expert and religious leader, Rev. Canon Sunday Folayan, has called on the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to immediately investigate the use of its machine at Republic of Niger for the National Identification Number (NIN), reports ITREALMS.

NIN, ITREALMS gathered is for all citizens and legal residents in Nigeria, from age zero, that is, at birth and above are eligible to enroll.

9mobile introduces self-service unbarring portal - ITREALMS

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Acclaimed novel Nigerian Mobile Network Operator (MNO), 9mobile, has introduced an easy self-service unbarring portal for customers to connect their National Identification Number (NIN) and unbar their lines online, reports ITREALMS.

The 9mobile NIN Web Linking service grants a reprieve to customers affected by the recent directive from the Federal Government to Telcos to bar calls from phone numbers yet to be linked to their National Identity Numbers (NIN).

FG urges citizens to link NIN to SIM without delay - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government (FG) has urged citizens to link their National Identification Number (NIN) to the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) without further delays, reports ITREALMS.

FG, ITREALMS recalled had approved an extension of the NIN-SIM linkage deadline to the 31st of March, 2022.

Faulty NIN portal: NIMC promotes tokenization, banks on 'wild domain' – ITREALMS

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Due to lingering technical hitch occasioned by non-availability of the National Identity Number (NIN) verification portal, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is now promoting tokenization of verification via platforms, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as the Commission has created ‘wild subdomain’ to save the day.

FG excited NIN reduces JAMB exam malpractices - ITREALMS

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The use of the National Identity Number (NIN) has been discovered to have reduced examination malpractices in the country, says the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as FG announced new deadline for NIN-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to October 31, 2021 this year.

Suspend NIN enforcement activities says Paradigm Initiative to NIMC - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The digital rights advocacy group, Paradigm Initiative has called for the immediate suspension of the enforcement of National Identification Number (NIN), as announced by the National Identity Management Commission, reports ITREALMS.

The NIMC, according to January 1st reports, has announced the commencement of the full enforcement of the use of the NIN by Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other bodies requiring the verification of individual’s identity in the country, such as security outfits, banks and other financial institutions. The commission also announced it was empowering other government agencies and private companies to collect citizens’ data on its behalf, a situation Paradigm Initiative finds disturbing.

According to Tope Ogundipe, Paradigm Initiative’s Director of Programs, “We have always been concerned about the ability of the Commission to ensure the protection of the data in their possession, in a country that has failed to put in place a data protection law. Full enforcement of NIN at this time could lead to denial of crucial services to millions of citizens who are not comfortable with sharing their data with the commission or its agents for good reasons.”

“While the harmonization of records and data might be a good step in the right direction for better accountability and statistical documentation in Nigeria, we consider the whole process premature at this time. There has to be a strong data protection law before citizens are forced to entrust their data to NIMC or other agencies of government,” Ogundipe added.

Weighing in on the issue, Paradigm Initiative’s Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan said, “Data protection is a core necessity in every society. It is a responsibility of the state and individuals alike to respect the privacy of citizens. Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees this unequivocally. There is no way that the right to a person’s privacy can truly be respected in the digital age without data protection laws, policies and mechanisms.”

The National Identity Management Commission is saddled with the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria. The Commission ought to take data protection very seriously; including ensuring that before the execution of such a nation-wide database harmonization exercise, there is extant and comprehensive legislation on data protection.

Paradigm Initiative urges the NIMC to cease all activities regarding the mandatory registration and use of the National Identification Number (NIN) pending when the nation enacts a data protection law. We have been following the legislative process of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill (HB. 490) which contains comprehensive and internationally recognized provisions for data protection and we are confident that if the President assents to the Bill, the NIMC would have a sufficient data protection legislation to guide its activities.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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NIN mandatory from September 1

ITRealms:

The National Identity Number (NIN) designed for the identification of Nigerians  in all transactions that require identification of individuals in the country shall become compulsory by September 1, reports ITRealms.

In keeping with this arrangement, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in-charge of NIN issuance, has urged Nigerians to avail themselves the opportunity of enrolling in the national identity database to get their NIN on or the deadline.

NIMC General Manager, Corporate Communications, Abdulhamid Umar, said recently that the agency has advertised in some national dailies that the use of NIN shall become mandatory in all transactions offered by applicable government institutions from September1.

Transactions affected, pursuant to section 27 (1) and (2) of the NIMC Act, 2007, ITRealms learnt, include application for, and issuance of international passport, opening of individual and/or group bank accounts.

Also affected, according to reports, are all consumer credits, purchase of insurance policies, purchase, transfer and registration of land by any individual, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), such transactions that have social security implications, registration of voters, payment of taxes and pensions, among others.

“Consequently, any government agency/institution, bank, insurance company and all other institutions offering services and/or involved in transactions requiring the identity of an individual must first demand for the NIN,” NIMC General Manager, Inspectorate, Regulatory and Compliance Services, Mrs. Hadiza Dagabana said.

“Any individual, institutions/body who fails to comply with the above has committed an offence punishable under section 28 of the NIMC Act.”

The commission urged citizens to appreciate the full import of the NIMC mandate and understand that the three-decades-old problem of identity management in Nigeria has been fixed since 2012 by NIMC’s unique identification infrastructure and the subsequent launch of the National e-ID Card scheme in 2014, ITRealms reports.

Cyriacus Nnaji/ GEE

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NIMC opens enrolment centre @NOA hdqters, Omire urges mass participation

ITRealms:

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has opened an enrollment centre for National Identity Database and issued the National Identification Number (NIN) at the head office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), reports ITRealms.

The Director, Corporate Communications at NIMC, Mr. Anthony Okwudiafor, confirmed this to ITRealms and quoted the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri, as urging Nigerians to ensure that they are enrolled in the National Identity Database and got issued the National Identification Number (NIN).

 

Flagging off the exercise at the Enrolment Centre, NOA National Headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Omeri commended NIMC for deploying Enrolment equipment to the NOA office premises.

Mr. Omeri noted that with the current state of unrest in the country, the National Identity Management Systems (NIMS) project has become imperative, urging Nigerians to support and key into this project.

He invited all eligible Nigerians and applicants to get enrolled, pointing out that by creating a unique National database and means of identity verification and authentication will provide a platform for verifying people’s identity; which will in turn boost the national security and economic development.

“The collaboration between the two institutions is necessary and must be emulated by other organisations, as it abides by the Federal Government policy of recognising and keeping citizens identity records," he said.

Omeri also was quoted as commending the Director General/CEO of NIMC, Barrister Chris ‘E Onyemenam and staff for their hard work and diligence and restated his commitment to work in partnership with NIMC.

Equally speaking, NIMC director-general, Barrister Onyemenam expressed his gratitude to God and also thanked Mr. Omeri for his support and cooperation towards making the NIMC Mandate a reality.

He reiterated the importance of having an Identity Database and noted that the security challenges in the country were enough reasons for everyone to ensure that the Commissions Mandate is met. 

He also thanked the President, Goodluck Jonathan for his support towards the implementation of the NIMS project.

The NIMC DG added that the full list of all NIMC Enrolment Centres could be accessed on the website, www.nimc.gov.ng and enjoined applicants to log onto the NIMC pre-enrolment portal www.ninenrol.gov.ng to pre-enrol and then proceed to any NIMC Enrolment Centre for biometrics data capture.

Emphasising that the NOA Enrolment Centre is open to all NOA staff, staff of parastatals and to the general public.

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Photo: NIMC director-general, Barrister Onyemenam