The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has said that digital identification would fast track issuance of its facilities across the country.
The Service’s Public Relations Officer, SPEO, Sunday James, said this in a statement made available newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the Federal Government had on June 13, announced that it was opting for a digital National Identification Card instead of the plastic card that was in use.
Mr James said that NIS had expressed the determination to keep the record of their National Identification Number, NIN, to ease facilitation of services.
He said that NIS was elated and optimistic that when fully implemented, the digital identity would serve as an advanced identity solution.
This, he said, would also be more secured and easier to access by service providers due to its credibility and reliability.
“NIS was foremost among agencies of government to advance toward digitisation of identity data of citizens when it introduced the integration of NIN as a major requirement, among others, for acquiring the enhanced e-passports.
“It is best international practice to adopt a digital identity, it works like the social security number in U.S. and UK for the harmonisation of citizen’s identity data domiciled with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
“Once the individual has the NIN issued to him/her and can remember same you are done, as the card will only be for record purpose only.
“When this is fully implemented, the holders may not need to carry the card once they can remember their digital identity. The future is digital identification,’’ he said.
Mr James said that NIS would continue to adopt advanced technology to ease facilitation of services rendered to the public.
According to him, considering the fact that the technology building at the NIS Headquarters is a digital information and data hub, all key digital solution will be deployed to meet the needs of government at all fronts.
NAN
