Senate Approves Mandatory Registration Bill

In an effort to reform Nigeria’s identity management system by repealing and reenacting the National Identity Management Commission Act, the Senate on Wednesday approved a bill requiring Nigerians to register voluntarily.

The bill also provides for the creation of a centralized database and a commission responsible for registering citizens and issuing identity cards.

The bill passage followed the adoption of the report submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population, Senator Victor Umeh.

Umeh is the lawmaker representing Anambra Central on the platform of the Labour Party.

According to him, the agency will be responsible for maintaining the national identity database, registering individuals and issuing identity credentials.

He said, “The bill will facilitate the creation of a national identity database, enhance biometric data collection, and empower the NIMC to issue regulations and guidelines for implementing the Act and other related matters.”

The senator also assured that the Act would establish a streamlined identity system governed by less restrictive, non-discriminatory, and cost-effective data protection measures that comply with global standards.

Umeh added that the bill received overwhelming support from stakeholders during the public hearing due to the urgent need for a comprehensive national identity system.