The Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engineer Aliyu Aziz has revealed that Lagos State amongst others have recorded high enrolment figures in the registration into the National Identity Database as at 2018.

Engr. Aziz, however, urged those who are yet to be registered to do so hastily, as states like Bayelsa, Ebonyi and others recorded low turnouts at enrolment centres as reflected in the National Identity Database as at 2018.

“Despite the declaration and approval by the Federal Executive Council, for the commencement of the mandatory use of the NIN this month, there is still no drastic improvement in Bayelsa and other states with low enrolment figures.” Engr. Aziz said.

Engr. Aziz further explained, “The Commencement of the mandatory use of NIN means that as from January 2019, all Government Agencies providing services as captured in the NIMC Act of 2007 as well as Private Agencies, will make the NIN a prerequisite for providing services to Citizens and Legal residents. Agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as Embassies were already demanding the NIN prior to the January 1, 2019 proclamation”.

Engr. Aziz also assured that the enrolment process will be easily accessible to all with the commencement of the Digital Identity Ecosystem, as all data collecting agencies as well as licensed private operators will be able to enroll and send data back to the NIMC backend, where a NIN will be generated for the individual. The Ecosystem is scheduled to commence soon.

He therefore enjoined states with low enrolment figures to persuade their residents to participate in the enrolment exercise which is going on at all enrolment centres spread across the Local Government Areas and special centres in the country, to avoid any inconveniences when the enforcement begins.

He assured the public that the process is not to inconvenience or witch-hunt anyone, rather it is of immerse benefit to all as it will create an avenue for proper identification and accessibility to services from Government and non-Governmental agencies.

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