The Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who has been linked to terrorists’ activities in the recent past, has stated that in order to secure Nigeria in the next few years, Nigerians should present and verify their National Identity Number even before using a restaurant.
Pantami explained why his ministry insisted on the mandatory use of the NIN in spite of over 44 petitions written against the policy and several court cases in the country.
The minister, who claimed he had since renounced his stance on terrorism, added that the NIN policy was mandatory by law in Nigeria and that it stood to secure the country.
He said, “Without profiling, no country will be secured globally. Criminals don’t like it, and they have been fighting it day in, day out.”
The minister stated this while speaking at a convocation lecture of the Federal College of Education Technical Gombe.
