Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Digital and Information Technology, Hon Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, has called on the Federal Government to relocate the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the Ministry of Communication.
Olajide, who represents Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency, made this declaration via a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
The lawmaker in the statement expressed disappointment over the consequences of the data breach on Nigeria’s cybersecurity space.
The lawmaker noted that the recent data breach at NIMC, which exposed the personal data of over 50 million Nigerians, has highlighted the need for enhanced data protection and security measures.
He explained further that the relocation will enable the commission to benefit from the ministry’s expertise and resources, and ensure that the country’s digital identity ecosystem is strengthened.
Olajide noted that the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation may not have the necessary expertise and resources to effectively supervise NIMC.
“I called on the Federal Government to relocate the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the Ministry of Communication.
“The recent data breach at NIMC, which exposed the personal data of over 50 million Nigerians, has highlighted the need for enhanced data protection and security measures.
“I urged the Federal Government to domicile NIMC under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Communication to ensure effective oversight, regulation, and collaboration.
“The relocation will enable NIMC to benefit from the Ministry’s expertise and resources, and ensure that the country’s digital identity ecosystem is strengthened.
“The office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation may not have the necessary expertise and resources to effectively supervise NIMC.”
