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The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari has made concerted efforts over the years in building a central database for the country. It is no news that the country has suffered immensely for lack of a proper database especially in cases of crime-fighting.
In this fight for a central database has been a key player, the Nigerian Communication Commission led by Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.
EVC/CEO NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta
The government mandated all Nigerians to get the National Identification Number (NIN). The agency charged with this responsibility is the National Identity Management Commission(NIMC).
NIMC operates and regulates matters of national identity in Nigeria with services covering National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment and issuance, National e-ID card issuance, identity verification as well as data harmonization and authentication. The Commission is headed by Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz
While NIMC handles the unique number enrolment, NCC is saddled with linking these numbers to the carriers’ SIMs.
As at June 28, 2021, a total of 5,410 enrolment systems are now available across the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM. It is worthy of note that there were only about 800 such enrolment systems as of December 2020.
Recall that the Federal Government set the deadline for the linking of NIN to Sims to July 26th 2021 and later pushed to 31st October. The Federal Government approved the extension as part of its effort to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.
According to the NCC, there are now a total of 57.3 million unique NIN enrolments, with an average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres across the country, every citizen and legal resident should be able to obtain their NINs.
Digital World
The world had since moved into a digital economy and its fast leaving us behind. There are two ways to look at the digital economy. One is just as progressive automation of production processes that has been going on for many years, now hitting a whole new level. Another is to see it as a distinct discontinuity, much like the industrial revolution was.
What exactly are we interested in as a nation in the NIN enrolment and the linking to SIMs? What any reasonable government should therefore be really interested in is not to monetize data and digital intelligence about herself but in making sure that it is always used in a manner that is beneficial to her.
Benefits of a database
Its no doubt that a proper database can go a long way in improving the socio-economic standard of a nation and most importantly, security.
Various companies rely on rigorous background checks for recruitment, updating, and tracking of information. Recent Circumstances show how powerful the information they have on their employees is and how far they are willing to go to garner that information. With a central database and properly controlled by the government, the corporate world can leverage on its Genuity.
Policing seems to be advanced in the Western world and this is attributed to a sophisticated database management system. They can easily track down criminals. With a proper database, our policing can keep details of criminals and their nefarious activities.
The database is the most vital in the health sector. Specific databases with silent resistance can be used to determine the primary symptoms of drugs and the patient’s current condition, such as blood flow, pulse, and blood sugar.
Nigerians stand to benefit the most in the move towards a digital economy. Profiling and deep background information are barriers to Nigerians enjoying certain benefits in the modern world. From the inability to access loans to mortgages, no business owner will be willing to hand these out without knowing fully well how to track an erring customer.
As the NCC charges forward in this fight for proper identification of SIM carriers, let us all support the work done and embrace the new wind of change.
For Nigeria to unlock the economic potentials of the digital economy, all players in the sector must work tirelessly to achieve the desired goals.
