About NIMC

Introduction

Identity as a concept has been a part of mankind. Verifying the identity of an individual or organisation has become very important in today’s business and technology driven world.

Prior to the enactment of the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 establishing the National Identity Management Commission [NIMC], the various identification schemes, including the database and issuance of identification cards both in private and public sectors, resided with the respective organisations.

There has been no unique set of principles, practices, policies, processes and procedures that are used to realise the desired outcomes related to identity, not to talk of an identity management system infrastructure that assures a secure verification process.

Background

The idea of documenting the identity of Nigerians and non-citizens in terms of biographic data has been a major source of concern to government dating back to the early years after independence. Although no significant efforts were made during the colonial era, for obvious reasons, the first major effort aside from population census exercises, was heralded or initiated in 1978 by the then Military government. In the following year Decree 51 was promulgated establishing the Department of National Civic Registration (DNCR) charged with the responsibility of implementing the programme.

The programme was basically to register all citizens of Nigeria who at the commencement of the Act have attained or who thereafter attain the age of 18, and issue to every person so registered, a National Identity Card (NIC). Government’s primary objective was to use this programme as an effective tool of control of illegal immigrants to the country, validation of other civic documents like the travelling passports, setting up a reliable personal identification system for the purpose of secure commercial transactions with financial institutions, etc.

However, the programme implementation was characterized by uncertainties and failed contracts impairing its full implementation until in February 2003 when the programme was launched with a contract awarded to Messers Sagem, S.A. France in August 2001.

Although the programme was scheduled to be completed in 2004, it was completed in 2006. Until the DNCR Act was repealed, the National Identity Cards that were issued under the programme were still being distributed. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will now complete the distribution exercise. Government has since realised that the scheme needed to be revived, having identified the need to integrate the databases of various identity schemes existing in the country into one effective and functional system to complement its programme of social and economic reforms. This necessitated the constitution of the Committee on Harmonisation of Identification Schemes in 2005.

The Committee, amongst other things proposed a national policy and institutional framework for a national identity management system infrastructure for the country. The policy included the establishment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as the primary legal, institutional, supervisory and regulatory framework to drive the reform initiative in the identity sector. The NIMC Act which in Section 32(1) provides for the repeal of the National Civic Registration Act also provides for the introduction of a chip based technology General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC), incorporating unique process of registration and enrollment of demographic and biometric data of registrable persons under the Act towards the establishment of a national identity database, harmonisation and integration of the existing identification databases in government agencies and issuance of unique personal identification numbers.

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	OBJECTIVES

	The primary objective of the identity reform effort which the NIMC is responsible for, is the sustainable development of a national identity management system infrastructure that will enable individuals to asset or prove their identity anywhere in Nigeria in a dependable manner.

	The specific objectives include the:

	•	establishment, ownership, operation, maintenance and management of the National Identity Database in Nigeria by Nigerians;
	•	registration of persons covered by the Act ;
	•	assignment and issuance of a unique National Identification Number to individuals who have been registered;
	•	introduction and issuance of General Multipurpose Cards;
	•	undertaking of data harmonization, administration and provide secure connectivity to existing systems; and
	•	provision of card acceptance devices and other identity services alone or in partnership with third parties.

	Also NIMC is responsible for the orderly development of the identity sector. Through its regulatory and supervisory function, it ensures that standards are maintained, principles, practices, policies, processes and procedures for verification and authentication of individual’s identity are seamlessly integrated to achieve a consumer focused identity sector infrastructure and services.

	FUNCTIONS OF NIMC

	The functions of the Commission include and not limited to:
	a)	creating, managing, maintaining and operating the National Identity Database, including the harmonization and integration of existing identification databases in government agencies;

	b)	issuing a General Multipurpose Card to registered persons;

	c)	ensuring the preservation, protection, sanctity and security of any information or data collected, obtained, maintained or stored in respect of the National Identity Database.
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	POWERS OF NIMC

The powers of the Commission as enacted by the Act are as follows:
	a)	request for any information or data from any person on matters relating to its functions under the NIMC Act;

	b)	establish and operate administrative and monitoring offices in the States, Local Government Areas and Area Councils;

	c)	monitor any matter that may affect the functions of the Commission.
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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

The corporate governance structure of the NIMC reflects government's determination to ensure that its reform objectives are achieved. the Commission reports to the Presidency, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

NIMC is positioned to deliver on its mandate of establishing and regulating a reliable and sustainable national system of identity management, hence the Act provides for:

It has a governing Board consisting of the Chairman, representatives of relevant government agencies, 3 persons representating the private sector and a Director General / Chief Executive appointed by the President who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Commission.

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The Commission is organized into eight (8) departments headed by Directors with other skilled employees in various fields as follows:

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Office of the Director General/CEO;

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Corporate Services;

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Finance & Investment;

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Human Capital Management;

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National Identity Database;