NIN-SIM linkage will help us identify crooks – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari says the ongoing synchronization of National Identification Number (NIN) with SIM cards will cover one of the weaknesses in the nation’s security structure as “the crooks” can now be identified easily.
He said this in Abuja yesterday while launching the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in Nigerian Telecoms Sector and Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Cards registration. He said his administration was fully committed to the safety of Nigerians and linking the SIM to NIN would significantly enhance security, aid in national planning and budget preparations. Buhari called on Nigerians to fully participate in the ongoing synchronization of NIN with SIM cards across the country as it would provide a digital framework for improving security and strengthening of the economy. He said proper identification of all Nigerians and legal residents in the country and ability to conveniently access a database would provide impetus for more effective planning and security oversight.
“The NIN will cover one of the weaknesses in our security structure. We’ll be able to easily identify and know the personality of Nigerians. We’ll identify people easily, including the crooks,’’ he said. He said the launch of the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration was quite timely and would support efforts to enhance security and develop the economy.
“The National Identification Number is the foundational digital ID for the country; both Nigerian citizens and legal residents are expected to obtain the NIN. It’ll provide access to government services and will give government useful insights that’ll enable us to utilize scarce resources in a more efficient way,’’ he added. He said attempts to promote the use of digital identity in the past were unsuccessful due to a number of reasons, including sabotage. “Our focused approach shows that this administration is dedicated to ensuring that we derive the benefits of a secure and robust digital identity system,’’ Buhari said. He said the ICT sector’s 14.70 percent double digit growth rate played a principal role in supporting our country to exit the recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, said the NIN registration had recorded a huge success with 54 million Nigerians already captured in the process, adding, “within six months, over 12 million enrolled.’’