Buhari Approves Transfer Of NIMC To Ministry Of Communications

President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

Naija News learnt that this was announced in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Uwa Suleiman.

Suleiman stated that  the decision was to ensure “synergy and effective ministry supervisory mechanism is put in place to coordinate, monitor and track the progress of Federal Government’s digital transformation initiatives.”

Transferring the identity commission to the ministry, according to the statement, will aid the harmonisation of citizens’ data which will aid planning, the economy and security.

The commission which is in charge of managing national identity database for Nigerians was hitherto domiciled under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Mrs Suleiman in her statement said in granting the approval, Mr Buhari considered the role of NIMC in achieving the objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS).

She said the presidential directive for NIMC to be under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is an illustration of Mr President’s vote of confidence on the minister, Isa Ibrahim (Pantami), “based on an unprecedented performance.”

The statement noted that the minister had “within his first year in office, amongst others, resolved the ICT sector’s decade-long dilemma of Right of Way charges.