Senate Passes Bill Mandating Compulsory National Identity Registration
A bill to repeal and reenact the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act was passed on Wednesday, aiming to modernize Nigeria's identity management system. The bill, championed by Senator Victor Umeh, will establish a centralized national identity database and a commission to oversee citizen registration and ID card issuance. Senator Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population, highlighted the bill's objectives, focusing on biometric data collection and the NIMC's empowered role in issuing regulations and guidelines. The new system promises to be streamlined, non-discriminatory, and compliant with global data protection standards. The bill received widespread support from stakeholders, who acknowledged the need for a comprehensive national identity system.
