Akpabio Says Integrated National Identity System Strengthening Nigeria’s Security
Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Nigeria’s integrated identity system is strengthening security by helping authorities identify suspected terrorist operatives.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Nigeria’s integrated identity system is strengthening security by helping authorities identify suspected terrorist operatives.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that Nigeria’s strengthened national identity management system is currently yielding significant security dividends.
According to him, integration of government identity databases recently enabled security agencies to identify and apprehend suspected terrorism kingpins attempting to gain entry into the country.
Speaking to newsmen on Friday after President Bola Tinubu signed the repealed and re-enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Bill into law at the State House, Abuja, Akpabio said:
“Minister of Interior has already started synchronizing the NIMC together with other equipment that he has in his office. And they’re yielding results.
“Just last week, we were able to apprehend terrorist chiefs who were coming in from Saudi Arabia, in Katsina, of all places. When they landed, they just put their names on the computer; it brought out that these are criminals, and they arrested them.”
The new legislation, he explained, would overhaul Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem, reinforcing national security, enhancing border control, and improving economic planning through a more robust and integrated identity management framework.
He revealed that the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with the Ministry of Interior’s digital platforms recently enabled security agencies to identify and apprehend suspected terrorist operatives upon their arrival in Nigeria.
According to him, the reform marks a significant departure from an outdated legal framework that had remained largely unchanged for 19 years despite rapid advances in digital technology.
His words: “With this Act of Parliament today, there will be a lot of improvement. This has brought Nigeria at par with the global community. I believe strongly that this will improve digital awareness in Nigeria, will help in the economy, will help in infrastructural planning, will help in immigration and migration. At the end, I believe that Nigeria will be better for it. Digital identity will be better managed henceforth.”
Akpabio punctured claims that the National Assembly fast-tracked the legislation, saying federal lawmakers devoted nearly two years to extensive stakeholder consultations, public hearings, and a thorough review of international best practices before approving the bill.
“We had to go around to do public hearings, to send people outside Nigeria to find out what obtains in other climes. It wasn’t something we had to rush because we always want to ensure that any legislation we do outlives us.”
The Senate President added that the legislation forms part of the Tinubu administration’s wider security reforms, including the proposed introduction of state policing.
“We’ve done the same thing for 66 years, but the result is continuous insecurity in the country. So it’s important that… we all work together for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
On his part, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, told reporters that the presidential assent was a major milestone that would strengthen identity management and provide the foundation for a more secure Nigeria.
He said the amended Act empowers NIMC to harmonise identity records, synchronise government databases and improve interoperability among public institutions.
“It’s about identity management, it’s about harmonizing identity, synchronizing database, and of course being able to ensure interoperability and ability to have secure handshake,” Tunji-Ojo said.
While refusing to disclose operational details of the country’s security systems, the Minister stressed the strategic importance of the legislation.
His words: “I won’t be able to go into the details because you’re talking about operational details of the security architecture… But you can be sure that this is going to be the foundation of our security architecture.”
Tunji-Ojo also praised President Tinubu for assembling what he described as a competent team to drive reforms.
“The President is… a talent hunter. This is very evident in what NIMC has been able to do under the leadership of the DG and the supervising ministry.”
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, described the new law as a landmark reform that bridges a 19-year gap in Nigeria’s identity management framework.
According to her: “The presidential assent to the National Identity Management Commission Bill, which was repealed and re-enacted, is a landmark milestone achievement for this administration and Nigeria. What this Bill will do is bridge that 19-year gap in line with technology best practices and digital transformation reforms globally.”
She stressed that the amended Act strengthens interoperability across government platforms, enhances citizen authentication and verification, and reinforces digital trust across ministries, departments and agencies.
“What we have been able to achieve with this Act also is to ensure that digital trust is cemented in our administration and administrative efforts in driving digital transformation across Nigeria.”
Coker-Odusote appreciated President Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly for supporting the legislation, describing identity management as one of the administration’s flagship reforms.
“We’re very happy that NIMC and identity is one of the key reforms of this administration,” she further said.
