By Stanley Iwuoha
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he is committed in building a robust digital public infrastructure that will drive the Renewed Hope Agenda and enable access to services for all Nigerians.
He said the initiative is crucial because a robust, efficient digital identity system has proven vital for the success of Government programmes like providing incentives for farmers, the student loan scheme, the National Youth Talent Export Programme, Renewed Hope City and Estate Housing initiative, the Skill-Up Artisans Programme and others.
The President made the pledge on Monday at an occasion to mark the National Identity Day organised by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC in Abuja.
President Tinubu, who was representative by the Secretary to the Government big the Federation, Sen George Akume, described Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as the backbone that enables access to essential services, from healthcare and education to financial inclusion and social welfare.
With a reliable digital identity system, the President expressed Nigeria can build a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
“This year’s National Identity Day themed, “Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Enabling Access to Services,”
underscores the critical role that digital identity plays in our nation’s development.
“In today’s digital age, the ability to prove one’s identity is not just a matter of convenience; it is a cornerstone of our socioeconomic progress.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is the backbone that enables access to essential services, from healthcare and education to financial inclusion and social welfare.
“By leveraging DPI, we can streamline service delivery, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure that government programs reach those who need them most. Together, we can create a future where every citizen has the means to thrive and contribute to our nation’s development.
“It goes without saying that a robust, efficient digital identity system has proven vital for the success of Government programmes like providing incentives for farmers, the student loan scheme, the National Youth Talent Export Programme, Renewed Hope City and Estate Housing initiative, the Skill-Up Artisans Programme and others.
“Verifiable identity is crucial in ensuring the right services and assistance goes to the right people in need of them.
“The “Renewed Hope” initiative is our commitment to fostering development and improving the living standards of all Nigerians.
“Digital identity is a key enabler of this vision. It empowers individuals, facilitates economic transactions, and enhances transparency and accountability in governance. With a reliable digital identity system, we can build a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.”
While, reaffirming his commitment to building a robust digital public infrastructure that enables access to services for all Nigerians, Tinubu applauded the NIMC DG, Engineer Abisoye Coker Odusote for her tireless efforts in collaborating with various agencies and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) which have been instrumental in advancing our digital identity agenda.
“Your dedication to ensuring the success of government initiatives through the use of digital identity is commendable and deserves our heartfelt appreciation.
“He reaffirmed the commitment to building a robust digital public infrastructure that enables access to services for all Nigerians. Together, we can create a future where every citizen has the means to thrive and contribute to our nation’s development,” he said.
Earlier in her speech, the NIMC DG, Engr. Abisoye Corker- Odusote said the role of DPI has become indispensable to Nigeria’s economic development, as it offers a framework that connects citizens to essential services such as social welfare, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
This she said provides a unique opportunity for the other two pillars of the DPI, data exchange and payment to be layered on foundational identity for its effective development and adoption.
As the forefront of this transformation, she informed that NIMC has enrolled over 110 million Nigerians on the National Identity Number, NIN enrollment program.
“With the Federal Government investments in social and palliative programmes to cushion the impact of the ongoing economic reforms on citizens, especially on the most vulnerable members of our society, the focus of this event around a strong digital public infrastructure (DPI) to support the government’s initiatives is timely and relevant.
“The role of NIMC to deploy an identity system, which will provide a way for individuals to identify who they are and authenticate themselves when accessing public services, in building Nigeria’s DPI cannot be overemphasised.
“Guided by three attributes, open, interoperability and standards, DPI has shown to be scalable and encourage innovation, which have seen to accelerate financial inclusion and transform the lives of citizens by addressing challenges of physical distance and documentation as well as high cost of transactions, which are typically faced by individuals whilst accessing public sector services.”
She listed some of the benefits of DPI as: reaching vulnerable groups during the pandemic through the provision of cash assistance to citizens linked to the national payment system; increase in the number of adults with bank accounts and delivering of services in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
The event was the 6th edition of Nigeria’s National Identity Day themed, “Digital Public Infrastructure, Enabling Access to Services in Nigeria.
Every year, the worldwide recognition of September 16 as Identity Day to highlight the importance of identity and its responsible use for inclusion, protection and empowerment.
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