To boost Nigeria's digital economy amongst other benefits, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constituted Steering Committee for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) World Bank Project.
In his inaugural speech, Senator George Akume, charged the Steering Committee to ensure that every Nigerian is "enrolled on the digital identification system which will facilitate access to services, improve service delivery and bolster Nigeria’s digital economy" .
He was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri.
According to a statement issued by the SGF Director, Information, Segun Imohiosen, the Steering Committee has the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume as Chairman and the Director-General of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote as Secretary.
It also has the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun as members.
Sen. Akume expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of the Strategic Roadmap for the project through "the establishment of a three-tiered institutional framework consisting of a Steering Committee, Strategic Unit, and an Implementation Unit within the National Identity Management Commission."
These institutional frameworks, according to the SGF, are tasked with overall governance, coordination, and communication with ecosystem partners, and day-to-day project implementation.
He underscored the high premium the Tinubu-led administration place on the digital identity with the recent reinforcement of the extant approval for the mandatory use of National Identification Number (NIN) for digital services and the issuance of service-wide circular from OSGF to this effect.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General/CEO of of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Secretary of the Steering Committee for the Nigeria Digital Identification Development, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote assured that the establishment of the Steering Committee will herald a "new era of collaboration, innovation, and progress in the collective efforts to harness the power of digital technology for socio-economic development, empowering individuals, and fostering inclusive growth."
She expressed appreciation for the readiness of the Steering Committee to bring their wealth of expertise, insights, and dedication to bear in the execution of their mandates.
She also said that their collective wisdom and guidance will be instrumental in shaping the strategic direction, policies, and frameworks necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this transformative project.