Why Nigeria Must Have Single Identity System – Senate

• The Senate calls for integrating NIN, BVN, and other digital IDs into a unified system for enhanced national security
• Shuiab criticizes the fragmented approach to identity systems, advocating for streamlining to prevent wastefulness and bolster security measures

The Senate advocates for integrating the National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and other digital identity platforms into a unified system. Salisu Shuiab, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, Cyber Crimes, highlighted this during a discussion with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Shuiab emphasized that a single identity system is crucial for national security and anti-corruption efforts. He criticized the fragmented approach, citing it as wasteful and detrimental to security measures.

He said a unified digital identity system would also help the Federal government plan its various intervention programmes through equitable distribution of resources.

“I can assure Nigerians that the era where you have silos, one individual being a dimension in different places, is not only a waste, it also contributes to insecurity and indeed even corruption.

“We are making a move to harmonise our identity database. We have engaged the relevant ministries—the Ministry of Communication Digital Economy, the Ministry of Industry, and even the CEO of the National Identity Management Commission—to ensure that a Nigerian who has registered with NIMC and has a national identity number is recognised across all platforms, whether for passport purposes, driver’s license, or the various interventions that the federal government is making.

“You cannot have a digital economy without a reliable digital identity, and digital identity starts with harmonising our database to ensure that one individual is recognised across all the systems,” Shuiab said.

He called for a partnership between FUNAAB and his office on training rural farmers in agricultural production.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, said he would be willing to partner with relevant agencies to ensure food security in the country.