HOLYCROSS OGBODO
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami, has approved the setting up of a National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment centre at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The desk which will commence work from tomorrow (Tuesday) is expected to ease the hitherto cumbersome process of the registration of members of the diplomatic corps.
According to Dr. Femi Adeluyi, the Technical Assistant Information Technology to the Minister, in a statement said the enrolment centre will provide support for members of the Diplomatic Corps and will be managed by the ministry through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The centre is being set up based on the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats.
Pantami said NIN is mandatory for diplomats who will reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more. It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country as stated in Section 16 of the NIMC Act 2007.
The law has made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain a NIN since 2007, adding however that compliance has been low, until recently.
Pantami, reiterated that the ministry remains committed to creating an enabling environment for all Nigerians and legal residents to obtain their digital identity number.