The Committee on Citizen Data Management and Harmonization inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that it would enhance speedy harmonization of Nigeria’s numerous citizen identification data held by different government Ministries, Departments and Agencies with a view to ensuring a single database owned and managed by the Federal Government.
The Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Committee, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in his inaugural speech at the meeting held in his Office in Abuja on Wednesday, 12 February, 2020, stated that President Muhammadu Buhari Government is committed to the global fight against terrorism and as such would leave no stone unturned in ensuring national security and public safety of Nigerians and foreigners alike.
According to him, “the harmonization of the database has become imperative because of the present global security challenges and the urgent need for Nigeria to join the international community in the fight against transnational crimes and criminality”
The Minister who further set up three Sub-Committees (Citizen Data Management and Harmonization, Central Crime Data Management and Harmonization, Limited and Temporary Visa Restrictions) for speedy and efficient delivery of the Presidential mandate as contained in the terms of reference of the Committee; charged members to immediately commence the review of the recent limited and temporary immigrant visa restrictions by the United States of America, develop and implement systems and processes that will address the security concerns raised by the US and submit their interim report on or before 14th February, 2020.
Aregbesola on behalf of the Committee, thanked the President for granting them the opportunity to serve the nation and assured that all hands will be on deck to ensure that the Committee carries out its assignment in record time.
Members of the Committee present at the inaugural meeting include: Minister of Interior, Chairman; the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; the Minister of Police Affairs; the Governor of the Central Bank; the Inspector General of Police;
the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service; the Director General, State Security Services; the Director General, Nigeria Intelligence Agency; the Director General, National Identity Management Commission; and the Director General, National Population Commission.
Others are: the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission; and the Accountant General of the Federation
The Presidential Committee is expected to prepare and submit its final report on or before 16 March, 2020.
