The Senate has passed for a second reading a bill that seeks to mandate all persons including foreigners resident in Nigeria the right to obtain and use National Identification Number (NIN).
The bill which scales through its first reading on Tuesday during plenary was sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin (Kano North), titled, ‘National Identity Management Commission (Repeal and enactment) Bill 2024 (SB. 472).”
It seeks to replace criminal penalties with administrative enforcement measures to encourage compliance with NIN usage requirements without imposing “undue legal consequences” on individuals.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) who led the debate on the general principles of the bill on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session said the bill seeks to repeal the extant Act and enact a new regulatory regime for NIMC.
According to him, the bill aimed to enhance the NIMC’s regulatory capacity to enable more effective oversight and regulation of the Nigeria ID System.
“The objectives of the bill are as follows: (a) Expanding the scope of registrable persons by broadening the eligibility criteria for registration under the Nigeria ID System to ensure inclusivity and universal coverage,” he explained.
According to him, the bill when passed will allow “all persons resident in Nigeria to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) and utilise it as a recognised form of identification.”
It will further streamline the “sharing of personal data by incorporating robust data protection measures to not only safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ data but also to foster trust among citizens in the landing of their information.”
He further explained that it will “enhance administrative enforcement powers. The efficiency and effectiveness of the NIMC’s enforcement powers will ensure timely and accurate compliance with ID registration requirements.”
He argued that it aimed to remove Criminalization for Non-Use of NIN: Replacing criminal penalties with administrative enforcement measures to encourage compliance with NIN usage requirements without imposing undue legal consequences on individuals.”
After the senators made their contributions, the Senate passed the bill for a second reading.
Senate Passes Bill To Mandate Foreigners In Nigeria Obtain NIN is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
