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6,000 Unlawful Nigeriens Present in NIN Database as FG Strikes to Clear Up Social Register
Abuja, Nigeria – February 7, 2025
The Nationwide Identification Administration Fee (NIMC) has recognized and eliminated over 6,000 non-Nigerians, primarily Nigerien nationals, who had been illegally registered in its Nationwide Identification Quantity (NIN) database.
The invention comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed an inter-ministerial committee to make sure a complete and fraud-free Nationwide Social Register for the Federal Authorities’s social funding applications, together with scholar loans and money switch schemes.
Database Cleanup Underway
Sources inside the Presidency confirmed that the Minister of Inside, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, briefed the Federal Govt Council (FEC) on Tuesday, February 4, relating to ongoing efforts to sanitize NIMC’s database. The unlawful NINs, which had been reportedly obtained by means of fraudulent registrations, have now been expunged.
In keeping with the sources, the cleanup is essential for making certain that solely reputable Nigerian residents profit from authorities welfare applications. The humanitarian ministry and the training ministry require correct information to manage money transfers and scholar loans, stopping funds from being misallocated.
A senior authorities official defined:
“The President doesn’t need cash disbursed to individuals who can’t be recognized. NIMC is making certain that the database is verified and cleaned up. Extra Nigerians are additionally being registered to make sure that solely those that genuinely want help obtain it.”
Following the FEC assembly, President Tinubu directed the Nationwide Safety Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inside Minister, Tunji-Ojo, to affix the prevailing presidential panel overseeing the humanitarian ministry’s operations.
Unlawful NIN Registration in Border Areas
Investigations revealed that unauthorized NIN registrations have been occurring in border communities, the place some corrupt brokers allegedly registered international nationals for a price. In 2022, Nigerian safety forces arrested two pretend NIMC officers who had been caught enrolling non-Nigerians at an Internally Displaced Individuals (IDP) camp in Niger Republic.
Gadgets recovered from them included NIN registration machines, printing and laminating gadgets, and a generator. The fraudulent apply has raised considerations about safety dangers and unauthorized entry to Nigerian identification credentials.
Making certain Transparency in Authorities Welfare Applications
Talking on the significance of the cleanup, NIMC Director-Basic Bisoye Coker-Odusote emphasised that the train would improve transparency in social funding applications.
“This course of ensures that authorities funds go to actual and verifiable beneficiaries. By linking NIN to funds, we remove ghost beneficiaries and guarantee funds attain those that actually want them.”
She added that the Nationwide Social Register, which homes particulars of all welfare beneficiaries, should now be linked to NIN to confirm identities earlier than disbursement.
Safety Consultants Name for Political Will
Safety analysts argue that whereas undocumented foreigners holding NINs just isn’t a brand new problem, the federal government should exhibit stronger political will to cease it.
Retired Brigadier Basic Aliyu Momoh said:
“Nigeria’s porous borders have lengthy allowed undocumented foreigners to maneuver freely. In contrast to Nigeria, nations like Chad and Cameroon don’t enable such laxity. The federal government’s effort is commendable, however there’s nonetheless a lot to be executed.”
With the newest crackdown on fraudulent NIN registrations, the Tinubu administration goals to strengthen nationwide safety and be sure that social funding applications serve solely reputable Nigerian residents.
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