Tunji-Ojo: Without proper identity management, there won’t be security

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says without proper identity management there will not be adequate security and prosperity for the citizens.

Tunji-Ojo spoke on Monday in Abuja at the 6th National Day of Identity organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

This year’s event had the theme “Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI); Enabling Access to Services”.

The minister said though it is the right of the government to “harness” the identity of the people, it is also the right of the citizens to have their data protected.

“If you do not get the identity of the people right, you can’t protect them, that is the truth. You can’t provide for those you don’t know. identity Is the foundation, cradle, genesis for all development,” he said.

“When we manage identity, we must also talk about data protection. You can’t manage identity when you can’t protect the data. The data protection act is very fundamental.

“It is the right of the government to have the identity of the people, harness the identity of the people, to build the identity of the people, but it is the right of the people for their identities to be protected.

“It brings you to a situation where you have to strike a balance between security and identity management. If you don’t curb the problem of the proliferation of identity you will continue to be at the mercy of enemies of the state.”

Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC’s director-general, said there is need for the private and public sectors to intensify their partnership to reap the benefits of DPI.

“The student loan initiative showcases how DPI can eliminate financial barriers to education,” she said.

“By collaborating with 257 institutions 332,715 students have been registered for loans and over 18,000 students have received payment through this initiative.”

Also speaking Carl Cruz, chief executive officer (CEO) of Airtel Nigeria, said DPIs are key enablers of digital economies and societies.