We’re not aware of our transfer to ministry of communications — NIMC

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, DAILY TIMES gathered.

The transfer was to ensure that effective ministry supervisory mechanism was put in place to holistically oversee the progress of Federal Government’s digital transformation initiatives.

The spokesperson to the Minister of Communications, Uwa Suleiman made this known through a statement issued on Monday that the approval for the transfer was based on Buhari’s consideration for the critical role of NIMC towards the realisation of the objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.

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Suleiman also said that the President’s directive was a show of confidence in the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami.

The statement said, “He has, within his first year in office, amongst others, resolved the ICT sector’s decade-long dilemma of Right of Way charges.

“He was also able to secure Mr President’s approval for the provision of security as well as designation of telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure.

“NIMC has so far registered around 41 million eligible enrollees for the National Identity Number. NCC, on the other hand, has details of over 191 million mobile subscribers.

“Furthermore, NITDA has recorded huge successes in the development and implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, the country’s first codified data protection regulation. GBB also provides services to government agencies.”

Suleiman said the NIN provided by NINC, considered as social security as well as a civil number, was very important for economic planning and social intervention.