The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has identified over 6,000 Nigerien citizens registered in its database with National Identification Numbers (NINs).
This discovery coincides with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for an inter-ministerial committee to ensure accurate data for the National Social Register, which is used for the Federal Government’s social investment programs.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, reportedly briefed the Federal Executive Council on NIMC’s activities and confirmed that these NINs have been withdrawn from the illegal holders during an ongoing database clean-up.
This follows a 2022 incident where suspected fake NIMC officials were apprehended for registering non-Nigerians, primarily from neighboring countries like Niger, in IDP camps.
President Tinubu’s push for accurate data stems from the need to effectively target vulnerable Nigerians for social interventions, such as cash transfers and student loans.
A source indicated that the President wants to ensure that funds are disbursed to verified individuals. Following the briefing, President Tinubu included the National Security Adviser and the Interior Minister on the existing panel overseeing the humanitarian ministry.
This panel was initially formed to conduct a comprehensive review of social investment programs after the suspension of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the subsequent suspension of all Social Investment Programs.
The inclusion of the new members emphasizes the importance of accurate identification in these programs.
NIMC Director-General, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, explained that the agency’s efforts are focused on ensuring transparency and accuracy in government payments, especially those related to humanitarian aid. By using NINs to verify beneficiaries, the government can avoid ghost beneficiaries and ensure that funds reach the intended recipients.
Coker-Odusote clarified that recent reports regarding NIN-SIM linkage issues originated from telecommunication companies and have since been resolved. She also confirmed that the data clean-up will ensure the accuracy of the National Social Register.
Security experts, while acknowledging the issue of undocumented foreigners holding NINs, emphasize the need for stronger political will to address the problem, citing porous borders and socio-cultural factors as contributing factors. One expert, Brig. Gen. Aliyu Momoh (retd.), noted the long-standing nature of the issue and the need for sustained action.
