NIMC releases self-service NIN registration app

Nigerians may now self-serve their way into registering for a National Identification Number using a smartphone, thanks to a new initiative by the National Identity Management Commission.

The platform was introduced on Saturday in Abuja at the Commission and Ministry of Interior’s celebration of the 5th Identity Day.

Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Commission’s acting director general and CEO, emphasized the importance of identity in the nation at the event.

Identity, according to her, “symbolizes our existence, our rights, and our role in society; it is more than just a card or a number. It opens doors to vital services, social advantages, and routes to a person’s personal and financial development. It acts as a link to our common humanity while standing as a tribute to our uniqueness.

She also emphasized the need to prioritize the principles of privacy and data protection in order to maintain vigilance in preserving the integrity and security of identity systems.

In order to successfully provide identification solutions for everyone, she continued, “Above all, we must be inclusive, leaving no one behind.”

The head of NIMC added that, among other advantages, a good identity management system may aid Nigeria in reducing insecurity and supporting its citizens.

She responded, “We are aiming to accelerate the turn-around time of registration,” when asked about the motivation for the self-service solution platform. The process of registering has drawn a lot of criticism from ordinary Nigerians, as I have heard. In addition to taking a while, receiving comments after registration is complete also takes a while.

“So, what we’re attempting to do is make it simple for you to register from the comfort of your home. If you don’t have access to a digital tool, you can visit the NIMC office or one of our neighborhood front-end partners.

After the ceremony, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the interior minister, told the media that the federal government intended to synchronize all data pertaining to the identification of Nigerians.

I want to reassure you that we are working on the details of harmonizing all of the identity data that we have, from BVN to the telecoms, the NIMC, voter identification, and everything else, and we hope to have them completed very soon. Since NIMC is a statutory organization with the authority to synchronize and maintain a national identity database, we will be collaborating closely with them.

The Banksforte Technology Limited, a division of the Banksforte Group that provides services in project management, construction engineering, ICT, and other fields, will power the NIMC self-service enrolment system.

The self-service application was not yet accessible for download on the PlayStore or the App Store, according to The Nigerian News, despite its Saturday debut.

Dayo Bankole, the Chief Executive Officer of Barnksforte Technology Limited, revealed that the NIMC Contactless Biometric Solution application was developed in collaboration with NIMC.

He stated that the NIMC will decide when it would be possible to download. But I have no doubt that it will appear as soon as possible.

The app eliminates the need for Nigerians, even those living abroad, to travel to a NIMC office or partner-agent office to resolve NIN-related concerns.

Additionally, it permits changes, such as changing one’s age, which the CEO of Barnksforte claimed could only be made once on the application.