Hon. Dhikirullahi Adedeji Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, the Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, recently visited the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) headquarters in Abuja. This visit highlighted the urgent need for the nation to prioritize the protection of sensitive citizen data.
During his tour of the NIMC facility and discussions with the agency’s Director-General and team, Odidiomo commended the NIMC team for their resilience and commitment despite significant constraints. “With what they have, it’s a big constraint to even be able to survive this much with this little. But for what they have, they are doing very well,” he acknowledged.
However, Odidiomo emphasized the responsibility of the nation to provide NIMC with the necessary resources and infrastructure to safeguard invaluable data. “When you need to post data of this importance, they need to be in a hardened site,” he stressed. “As a nation, we have to give NIMC what they need. We’ve not given them what they need, but for what they have, they are doing a commendable job.”
Odidiomo also highlighted the importance of exploring alternative energy solutions, such as solar power, to ensure the reliability and sustainability of NIMC’s operations. “The whole world is moving away from hydrocarbon-powered systems,” he noted. “NIMC needs to start looking at alternative green energy solutions like solar to power their facilities.”
The most significant outcome of Odidiomo’s tour was the pledge of support from the House of Representatives to help NIMC enhance its cybersecurity measures and data protection capabilities. “I will definitely brief the Speaker about the amount of help NIMC needs,” Odidiomo assured. “You can be sure that the House will provide the necessary support to strengthen the agency’s digital infrastructure and safeguard the sensitive information of Nigerian citizens.”
In the coming weeks, Odidiomo vowed to work closely with NIMC to conduct a comprehensive assessment of their needs and develop a plan of action to address the challenges they face. “We’ll look at their infrastructure, access control systems, connectivity, and cybersecurity requirements,” he said. “Based on our findings, we’ll make specific recommendations and work to secure the resources NIMC needs from the National Assembly.”
Odidiomo’s visit to NIMC underscores the House of Representatives’ commitment to empowering the agency and ensuring the robust protection of citizens’ sensitive data, a crucial step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. “This is not just about creating a legal framework for the digital economy,” Odidiomo emphasized. “It’s about transforming the lives of our people, creating opportunities for growth and prosperity, and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in the digital age.”
With Odidiomo’s leadership and the support of the House, NIMC is poised to enhance its cybersecurity measures and data protection capabilities. This will safeguard the nation’s digital landscape and build trust in the country’s digital identity system. It’s time for Nigeria to step up and provide NIMC with the resources they need to protect our most valuable asset – our data.
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