We can’t protect unidentified citizens – Minister
By Blessing Emmanuel
In a bid to enhance safety and security of the country, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo has stressed that measures are in place to ensure identification of Nigerians for effective data collection and economic distribution.
He made the disclosure while speaking on the theme Digital Public Infrastructure: Enabling access to services at the National Identity Day held in Abuja on Monday.
The Minister said ” governance, highlighting its importance for security and service delivery. Speaking at the 6th National Day of Identity in 2024, the Minister underscored that without accurate identity management, it would be impossible for any government to fully protect and provide for its citizens.
“If you do not get the identity of the people right, you can’t protect who you don’t know. That is the truth. You can’t provide for who you don’t know, and for you to do that, you must get the identity right,” Dr. Tunji Ojo stated.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo further explained the significance of the Evidence of Identity (EOI), which he called the foundation for development. “Identity is the credo, it is the genesis. It is the beginning upon which development will be built,” he said, noting that identity management is essential to avoiding reputational damage and ensuring the distinction between law-abiding citizens and criminals.
Dr. Tunji Ojo pointed out that mismanagement of identities can hinder law enforcement and basic governance functions. “If we are unable to manage identity, you will find it difficult to segregate the good from the bad. You’ll also struggle to provide basic policing and amenities for the people,” he remarked.
He emphasized that understanding the identity of citizens is a precursor to understanding their needs and aspirations, which is key to achieving the country’s full potential.
The Minister argued that there must be balance between identity management and data protection, stressing the importance of safeguarding personal information.
“You cannot manage an identity when you can’t protect the data. The Data Protection Act is fundamental in any democracy in the world. It is the right of the people,” he said, adding that while it is the government’s duty to collect and manage identities, it is equally the people’s right to have their data protected.
The 6th National Day of Identity was marked by discussions on how to strengthen Nigeria’s national identity systems as part of broader efforts to enhance governance and security.
