In a bid to address the mounting challenges associated with the issuance of National Identity Numbers (NIN) and passports, the Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a significant step by relocating the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Ministry of Interior. This move aims to streamline the processes related to NIN and passport clearance, which are essential prerequisites for securing international passports and various other travel-related documents.
Until now, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) operated under the purview of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. However, the pressing need to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of NIN and passport services has prompted this strategic realignment.
Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, confirmed the development and emphasised that the agency is actively working on innovations to address the challenges faced by Nigerians. He says:
“Yes, we have been moved. We are coming up with several innovations to address the problems. Nigerians will have opportunities to make online requests for changes of dates of birth, or any updates regarding their personal information. They will apply online and get responses in real-time.”
Under the previous administration, the NIMC and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) collaborated to integrate NIN with Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) as part of a broader strategy to address challenges related to kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. This initiative led to over 100 million Nigerians linking their NINs with their SIM cards within a three-year period.
The decision to transfer the NIMC to the Ministry of Interior is in line with the mandate of President Tinubu’s administration to eliminate barriers and delays in the acquisition of NIN and passports. The rapid pace at which this transfer is being executed underscores the government’s commitment to resolving these critical issues.
Read also: NIMC records 743,085 NIN enrollments in August as 102.39m Nigerians now have NIN
More on the NIMC relocation
The move to relocate the NIMC to the Ministry of Interior comes as a response to the urgent need to address the backlog of passport applications in Nigeria. The Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had previously called for the clearance of over 200,000 passport application backlogs. Within five days of setting this deadline, over 55,000 applications were successfully cleared.
Minister Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of these efforts to reduce scarcity and delays in passport issuance, which often contribute to corruption within the system. He reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering solutions and stated that it can no longer be “business as usual.”
“We have critically analysed all these scenarios – from the point of going online to fill the form to the point of payment, to the point of picking a date, to the point of biometrics, to the point of issuance of passports. And we understand the service providers involved and we have been able to see one or two things to put right.”
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior
The government has undertaken a comprehensive analysis of the passport application process, from online form filling to payment, biometrics, and passport issuance, with the aim of addressing bottlenecks and improving the system.
In response to the minister’s ultimatum, the Public Relations Officer of NIMC, Dr. Dotun Aridegbe, noted that the NIS Acting Comptroller General, Mrs. Wura-Ola Adepoju, has been proactive in meeting the stipulated deadline. He emphasised that all facilities and equipment are functioning optimally, and personnel are working diligently, even on weekends, to ensure the efficient processing of passport applications across the country.
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
