Why Nigeria's national database is still fragmented despite NIMC's claims

Nigeria's ambition for a unified national identity database appears to be faltering, as the system remains fragmented despite assurances from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director-General of NIMC, recently declared that Nigeria had moved beyond the era of siloed identity databases.

However, the reality on the ground suggests a different picture. Banks, telecommunication companies, and immigration services are reportedly still engaged in separate, siloed data registrations. This practice directly contradicts the goal of a cohesive national database, hindering efforts to streamline identity management.

Furthermore, the confirmation protocol associated with the National Identification Number (NIN) does not equate to a truly unified database. The continued reliance on disparate registration systems raises questions about the effectiveness of NIMC's strategy and the actual progress made towards creating a single, accessible source of national identity information. The fragmentation poses challenges for data integrity, security, and efficient service delivery.