Nigeria To Replace National Identity Card With Digital Numbers

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has revealed the plan to transfer the National Identity Management Commission to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, stated that with the development, the concept of Digital Number would be prioritized to replace the National Identity Card.

Pantami stated this during an interview with PRNigeria’s Economic Confidential.

Pantami confirmed that the contribution of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased in the second quarter of 2020.

The minister said broadband penetration rose significantly from a little above 30 percent to more than 42 percent in the last year.

“Any country where broadband penetration increases by 10 percent will witness GDP increase of between 1.6 percent and 6.8 percent. Digital economy indeed is the future, and it is all about prioritizing digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship.”

The Minister further stated that when the digital number becomes the new national identity, Nigerians will be able to access relevant services offered by government agencies and private institutions.

“The new approach is the digital number, not the card. The number will be in the country’s database and linked to the person’s passport, driver’s license, among others.”

“If an individual wants to access any kind of service, it will be through the digital number provided. There is no point promoting the digital economy and people are going out with cards. It should be optional”, Pantami added.