The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has said that an effective identity management is key to a secure and prosperous nation.
Tunji-Ojo said this on Monday during his address at the National Day of Identity 2024 programme.
“Today, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, I attended the National Day of Identity 2024 programme organised by the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) under the leadership of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the MD/CEO of the organisation,” he said.
“The event was graced by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume who represented President Bola Tinubu.
“In my remarks, I stressed the significance of identity management as the ultimate gatekeeping responsibility of the government, one that goes a long way to determine how secure a country is.
“Effective identity management is key to a secure and prosperous nation. And for everyday we live, our identity will continue to shape how we are perceived in the comity of other nations.”
The event availed the NIMC as a government institution a unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the finest private sector players and stakeholders who shared stage with Tunji-Ojo not just as a speaker but also as panelists during various breakout sessions.
During the event, the minister unveiled the newly designed logo for the NIMC and led the presentation of awards to winners of the design competition ranging from primary school category to the tertiary category.
“Our government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) will continue to explore innovative ideas as well as leverage technology to drive Digital Public Infrastructure that will enable Access to Services for Nigerians, as aptly captured by the theme of the event,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The NIMC and a smart card manufacturing firm, SecureID, meant have deepened their partnership to enhance the identity security in Nigeria.
SecureID disclosed this in a statement on Monday, adding that the partnership was initiated during a visit by the Director General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote to the company’s manufacturing facility in Lagos.
The Group CEO of SecureID, Kofo Akinkugbe, while addressing the press talked about the importance of local solutions in tackling the problems bedeviling Nigeria’s identity management.
“Identity management is an essential social infrastructure worldwide. We firmly believe that home-grown solutions are the most effective ways to overcome the unique challenges we face,” Akinkugbe said.
“Through strategic public-private partnerships, both the government and the private sector could unlock new opportunities for growth and success in this crucial industry.”
