It is my pleasure, on behalf of the management and staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to welcome you to this interactive session on the forth coming identity management conference in Nigeria.

As you are most probably aware, the Commission was created by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 with the primary responsibility of creating and maintaining a national identity management infrastructure that will ensure that individuals are able to prove or assert their identity in a dependable manner anywhere in Nigeria. This underscores government’s determination to upgrade available infrastructure for identity management to support digital identity (e-ID) assurance systems in Nigeria.

One of such upgrading target is the development of permanent Identity Registration Centres (IRCs) across the country which would ensure that enrolments into the National Identity Database (NID) take place on daily bases, all year round, just like any other activity.

Another infrastructure upgrade has to do with the creation of a secure National Identity Database with the necessary authentication and verification infrastructure and full business continuity support, so that it would be easy for anyone from anywhere within Nigeria to prove or assert his/her identity.

Accordingly, to achieve its objectives, the Commission’s strategy is focused on expanding, extending and enhancing existing identity infrastructure and where necessary exiting obsolete technology and processes in order to establish a reliable, secure and scaleable Identity Management System infrastructure that utilizes advanced biometric technologies to uniquely identify every individual in the Country. This strategy is what we have code named 4Es through which we ultimately hope to deliver, in partnership with the private sector, a National Identity Management System Infrastructure upgrade that is consumer focused and sustainable.

It is against this background that the proposed conference has been planned as part of an ongoing process to harness worldwide examples of best practices, stimulate involvement of the public and private sectors and continually reaffirm the priorities for the implementation of an effective Nigerian identity management system.

The Conference is scheduled for September 21 – 23, 2008 at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja with the theme: “Delivering Nigeria’s Identity Management System ".

Specifically, the objectives of the conference are to:

• Share best practice in developing national identity management systems amongst country officials.

• Highlight how an appreciation of identity management can make for better business strategies to the benefit of the whole economy.

• Enable best in class suppliers to explain and demonstrate how they can contribute to a successful implementation of Nigeria’s identity management system.

• Refine the messages that will contribute to ensuring the identity management system is accepted by all.

The Conference, which will be declared open by His Excellency, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, shall attract leading experts, public and private practitioners in ID management solutions across the globe. All sessions shall be interactive and ensure the coverage of broad principles and shall include a Networking specific implementation issues and of course opportunities for businesses with Formal Dinner on the second day. Top class service providers and manufacturers will exhibit identity sector products and services.

Other high profile delegates from government, business (particularly from the identity sector), civil society/not-for-profit organisations, international agencies and the diplomatic corps will contribute significantly to the various debates and shape opinions towards ensuring that the national identity management system infrastructure being established by NIMC meets global standards as well as meets the expectations and needs of Nigerians. Leaders of major financial service organisations, the Oil and gas sector, major investors (at least from India, China, South Africa, US and EU), multinationals, manufacturing and agricultural sectors would be among the over 300 delegates expected at the Conference.

The process of establishing and maintaining a National Identity Management System infrastructure requires the buy-in of all Nigerians. The conference is one of the strategic plans of the NIMC to ensure this through broader participatory and inclusive arrangements. This should enable Nigerians own the process and shed away any skepticism and apathy arising from experiences of the recent past and guide the NIMC towards achieving its objectives and serving the citizenry.

I appreciate your attention, thank you for listening and God bless us all, Amen.

Chris ‘E Onyemenam.
DG/CEO, NIMC
JULY 1, 2008