The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abububakar has called on Nigerians to enroll for the National Identification Number (NIN).

He made the call during a joint courtesy Visit by the Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz and the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari to the Sultan to brief him on the ongoing collaboration between NIMC and NOA to Sensitize Nigerians and Legal residents especially at the grassroots on NIN enrollment, it’s benefits, importance and the National Identity Management System (NIMS).

Speaking during the event, Engr. Aziz informed the Sultan of the need to populate the National database to be able to manage individual’s identity as against card issuance which was the previous narrative, as the world is moving towards digital identity, like the US social security number, the UK social insurance number and the Indian Adhar.

Aziz also emphasized the Commission’s Commitment towards populating the National Identity Database with all Citizens and legal residents including Children, hence the ecosystem approach to be implemented in July 2018, in which various Government agencies and other private partners that are into data collection will be licensed to capture data that will be sent to the back end of NIMC’s National Identity Database. He also noted that enforcement of the mandatory use of the NIN will also shoot up enrollment.

Conferring the Message of the DG, NOA, his representative, Alhaji Balarabe Gambo expressed his gratitude to the Sultan for the reception and called on the Sultan to use his influence and status to encourage his subjects to enroll for the NIN as it is of immense benefit to the citizens and legal residents.

He further stated that NOA is committed to ensuring that Nigerians and Legal residents are fully sensitized and educated on the NIN and its benefits as well as the NIMS, being the Government agency saddled with the responsibility of publicizing Government policies and activities, it is a natural partner for NIMC to drive this project especially at the grassroots level.

In his response, the Sultan commended NIMC and NOA for taking the initiative to collaborate in order to achieve success, he pledged to drive the message down to his subjects, and further assured the team of his support towards ensuring the success of the exercise, as it will be of immense benefit to not only the people of Sokoto state but the entire Nation.

In his closing remarks, Engr. Aziz expressed his profound gratitude to the Sultan for the warm reception and support, and presented the National electronic identity card to his Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto.