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FG Invests N30bn On National ID Scheme
The Federal Government has approved N30.066 billion for a new national identity management system, Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Chris Onyemenam, has said.
Onyemenam disclosed this at an interview with newsmen, yesterday in Abuja.
“What government approved is N30.066 billion and the approval is intended to accelerate the rollout of the backend of the national identity management system.
“About five billion naira of that amount is already part of the 2011 appropriation act.”
Onyemenam said the remaining part of the money would be part of the 2012 and 2013 fiscal year budget proposal.
This, he said, would be subject to review, adding that it was a laudable project that would go a long way to sanitise the identification system.
He added that government’s approval of fund could be well taken to mean an interest in helping to implement a project that had transformational potential.
“President Goodluck Jonathan’s position as you know is transformation of the national economy for the citizenry both in terms of attitudinal disposition, employment creation, creation of economic opportunities and also creation of conducive environment,” he said.
Explaining the new strategies of the commission, he said that the new cards to be issued would have facilities that could be verifiable unlike the former one that had no verification facility.
He added that the expected identity card would be like a smart card with a database that would be readable when slotted into any card acceptable device or reader.
“We are saying that this is a new way of confirming the identity of individuals that has not happened in the past.
“It is in this sense that we are saying there’s a shift away from the old way of doing things to the new way of doing things.
“The new way of doing things is the new paradigm and that is what we mean when we say we are moving from a focus on identity card issuance to identity management system.”
Onyemenam assured of the commission’s commitment to ensuring effective identity management system in the country.
In a related development, the NIMC has said that it would complete the National Identity Management system by 2013.
The NIMC boss who made this known on Sunday in Abuja said that the system was designed in such a way that all government and non-governmental organisations with intention of building mini identification systems would tap into.
He said that the cards as well as the database would be designed such that updates could be made as required by government agencies desirous of taking advantage of the system.
Onyemenam said that it had become pertinent that all government databases spoke the same language and that was why the harmonisation of all identities became necessary.
“That is why we have a three-year plan period that by December 2013, we would have completed the harmonisation and integration process.
“We would make sure that all existing government databases speak the same language. As we say in our popular comments – we should all be singing from the same page of the hymn book.
“If this had been in place, it would then become unnecessary for most government establishments to begin to try to build their own mini databases, verification infrastructure, identity card and so on and so forth.”
Onyemenam decried what he termed the proliferation of identity management platforms, stressing that it was because the emphasis had always been on card issuance, rather than identity management.
he director-general said that after the harmonization of identity management, it would become easy for a bank teller or anybody to know the identity of the person before him or her and assist in minimising the risk of identity theft.
He said that it would be possible to authenticate and verify a person’s identity as the database would be web-based and if the person already had his entry in the database; it would be easy to authenticate.
Onyemenam added that information on the card was digitally and electronically stored and as such one could assert his identity wherever he went and in any transactional relationship.
“It’s digitally electronically stored and this is a simple business rule that will be extended across other agencies and private institutions as well.
He said that what was in use in the past was a 2-D barcode that did not have extensive application because it was not intended to.
He stressed that the commission would have a database that could be exploited either through web services or through the use of the card.
“The card which has a chip on it has provision for other government agencies to upload their data.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene