Secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Senator George Akume has inaugurated the newly constituted steering committee for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) World Bank Project.
Akume in his inaugural speech, charged the steering committee to ensure that every Nigerian is enrolled on the digital identification system which will facilitate access to services, improve service delivery and bolster Nigeria’s digital economy.
In a statement by the director of information in the office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, the committee which has the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume as chairman and the director-general of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote as secretary, has also the minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.
Others are the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi, the minister of budget and national planning, Abubakar Bagudu, the minister of finance, Wale Edun, the minister of interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the minister of communications and digital economy, Dr. Bosun as members.
Akume, who was represented by the permanent secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri expressed the readiness of the federal government to expedite the implementation of the strategic roadmap for the project through the establishment of a three-tiered institutional framework consisting of a steering committee, strategic unit, and an implementation unit within the National Identity Management Commission.
He underscored the high premium the Tinubu-led administration placed on the digital identity with the recent reinforcement of the extant approval for the mandatory use of National Identification Number (NIN), for digital services and the issuance of service-wide circular from OSGF to this effect.
Earlier, the director-general/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the secretary of the steering committee for the Nigeria Digital Identification Development, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the establishment of the panel would herald a new era of collaboration, innovation, and progress in the collective efforts to harness the power of digital technology for socio-economic development, empowering individuals, and fostering inclusive growth.
She expressed appreciation for the readiness of the steering committee to bring their wealth of expertise, insights, and dedication to bear in the execution of their mandates.
She added that their collective wisdom and guidance will be instrumental in shaping the strategic direction, policies, and frameworks necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this transformative project.
