NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
Kper, Bartholomew Torkuma1, Achimba, Terfa2, Akaangbough, Terkuma Solomon2 Orngudwem, Terfa Iyorshe3
1ICT Directorate, Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev, Benue State-Nigeria
2 Department of Maths/Computer Science, University of Mkar, Mkar, Benue State-Nigeria
3 Department of Basic Sciences, Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev. Benue State-Nigeria
Email: agriculture4truelife@gmail.com
Corresponding author: Kper, Bartholomew Torkuma
ABSTRACT
The National Identification Number (NIN) policy recently embarked upon by the federal government of Nigeria has both merits and demerits. This paper has x-rayed the challenges and the prospects of the policy in an attempt to educating Nigerians on the need for the exercise. Notwithstanding, the paper has identified the deployment of biometric modalities like iris scan, palm prints, facial recognition, fingerprints and voice recognition etc as a means of fighting terrorism, corruption, crime and other forms of criminality. The registration exercise is however marred with corruption by enrolment officials through extortion and the siphoning of budgetary allocations meant for the process by the Commission. The paper recommends among others, the strengthening of institutions charged with the responsibility of fighting corruption and the need for Nigerians to embrace the NIN policy in order to enjoy the benefits of the scheme. The paper conclude that there exists a need for Nigeria to invest substantial economic and human resources in the e-ID policy and to genuinely embrace the use of modern technologies in adequately identifying and authenticating people within her borders.
Keywords: Electronic Identity (e-ID), National Identification Number (NIN), Biometric modalities, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
