Federal Government To Replace National Identity Card (NIN) With Digital Numbers––The Nigerian Government has given more information about the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy made the disclosure in an interview with PRNigeria’s Economic Confidential saying with the development, the concept of Digital Number would be prioritized to replace the National Identity Card.
Pantami affirmed the contribution of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which increased in the second quarter of 2020.
The Minister said broadband penetration rose significantly from a little above 30 percent to more than 42 percent in the last year and that when the digital number becomes the new national identity, Nigerians will be able to access relevant services offered by government agencies and private institutions.
“The new approach is the digitalnumber, not the card. The number will be in the country’s database and linked to the person’s passport, driver’s license, among others.
“If an individual wants to access any kind of service, it will be through thedigital number provided. There is no point promoting thedigital economy and people are going out with cards. It should be optional”, Pantami added.
