From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has said that unique proof of identity is essential to provide necessary welfare services to citizens in line with their fundamental human rights.
Tinubu noted that without accurate identification, the government’s ability to effectively protect and provide for its people will remain a challenge.
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, spoke at the National Day of Identity, organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Speaking at the event themed “Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – Enabling Access to Services,” he stated that the ability to prove one’s identity is not just a matter of convenience, but a cornerstone of socioeconomic progress.
“DPI is the backbone that enables access to essential services, from healthcare and education to financial inclusion and social welfare.
“It is through robust DPI that we can ensure every Nigerian, regardless of their background or location, has the opportunity to participate fully in our nation’s growth.
“Our administration’s 8-point agenda, which includes food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, improving security, enhancing the business environment, upholding the rule of law, and fighting corruption, is intrinsically linked to the success of our digital identity initiatives.
“By leveraging DPI, we can streamline service delivery, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure that government programs reach those who need them most.
“It goes without saying that a robust, efficient digital identity system has proven vital for the success of Government programmes like providing incentives for farmers, the student loan scheme, the National Youth Talent Export Programme, Renewed Hope City and Estate Housing initiative, the Skill-Up Artisans Programme and others.
“Verifiable identity is crucial in ensuring the right services and assistance goes to the right people in need of them.
The “Renewed Hope” initiative is our commitment to fostering sustainable development and improving the living standards of all Nigerians. Digital identity is a key enabler of this vision. It empowers individuals, facilitates economic transactions, and enhances transparency and accountability in governance.
“With a reliable digital identity system, we can build a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria,” the president said.
Also speaking, Minister of Interior, Dr. olubunmi Tunji Ojo, stressed the need for proper identity management to repair Nigeria’s damaged reputation.
According to the Minister, without the right identity management it would be difficult to segregate the good citizens from the bad.
“If you do not get the identity of the people right, you can’t protect who you don’t know. That is the truth. You can’t provide for who you don’t know and for you to do that, you must get the identity right,” he said.
“You must get the EOI right. What is the EOI? That’s the Evidence of Identity. Because identity is the foundation. Identity is the credo, it is the genesis. It is the beginning upon which development will be built.
“If we do not pay the necessary attention to identity management, what are the problems we’re going to be getting, number 1, we’ll have the issue of reputational damage which is what we getting at the moment.
“I tell you this, of every every 10 Nigerians that attempt criminality, there are 100 million fantastic Nigerians. That is the truth.
“But if we are unable to manage their identity, you will find it difficult for you to be able to segregate the good from the bad.
“You’ll find it difficult for you to be able to provide basic policing, basic amenities of life for the people.
“If you know the identity of people, the next level will be to know the needs of the people, to know the wants of the people for you to be able to meet up with the aspirational aspiration of the people.
“If you are not able to do that then what do you get? You get a country that will forever be a country of potential without attaining potential.
“You cannot manage an identity when you can’t protect the data. The Data Protection Act is fundamental in any democracy in the world, It is the right of the people.
“It is the right of the government to have the identity of people, to harness the identity of people, to have the ability to identify people, but it is the right of people for their identity to be protected.
“So in this, it brings you to a situation where you have to, you have to strike a balance between security and identity management.”