FGN moves NIMC to Interior Ministry to boost passport issuance

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has relocated the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Ministry of Interior in a bid to streamline passport processing in the country.

Upon assuming office, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, pledged to bring NIMC under the ministry’s jurisdiction for better coordination of Nigerians’ identity data.

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This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to remove obstacles in obtaining passports.

Notably, the National Identity Number (NIN), administered by NIMC, is a crucial requirement for obtaining international passports.

Previously, NIMC fell under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

A source, requesting anonymity, disclosed that a meeting took place at the ministry on Wednesday involving staff from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

This meeting aimed to harmonize the activities of both government organizations.

“The process is currently underway and should be finalized by Friday, as another meeting is scheduled for that day,” said the ministry source.

During the prior administration, NIMC collaborated with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to link NIN with Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) to combat kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.

Remarkably, over 100 million Nigerians linked their NIN with SIM cards within three years.

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