Relocate NIMC from SGF office to ministry of communication – Rep member

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Digital and Information Technology, Hon. Adedeji Olajide, Friday, asked 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.

Hon Olajide who stated this while speaking with journalists over the consequences of the data breach on Nigeria’s Cybersecurity space, said 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.

The lawmaker representing Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency tasked the Federal Government to take concrete steps to protect the compromised data and prevent future breaches.

Hon Olajide pointed out that Federal Government should domicile NIMC under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Communication to ensure effective oversight, regulation, and collaboration.

He maintained that 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, adding that the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation may not have the necessary expertise and resources to effectively supervise NIMC, adding, the Ministry of Communication, with its mandate to oversee the country’s communication sector, is better positioned to supervise NIMC and ensure that it meets its objectives.

Stressing that the breach has also eroded public trust in government agencies and highlighted the need for robust data protection measures, the lawmaker noted that NIMC should develop and implement a comprehensive data protection policy, enhance its cybersecurity infrastructure protocols, improve its internal control oversight mechanisms and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.