Nigeria To Embark On National Digital Identity Project
Samuel Oyejola, Abuja
The federal government has disclosed that government is working with development partners to produce the National Digital Identity for all Nigerians to create a leverage platform for entrepreneurs.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo at the Africa-China Cooperation in information technology and digital economy organized by the Embassy of China in Nigeria said National Digital Identity will enable government to identify all Nigerians within and outside the country.
The vice President who was represented by his special assistance on ICT, Lanre Osibona, said this is important because of the need to harness benefits in use of ICT, to promote Nigeria’s economic growth.
His words: “I emphasize this point because we need to understand the importance of why we are driving digital economy; we are not into this because of the buds, but the inherent benefits. I am hopeful that the collaboration we have had with the China will be leverage upon and deepened, as well as the gains that it brings about.
“There is a whole lot that we have to learn from each other, we have a number of similarities, a number of population and cultural differences. We can learn a whole lot more, we want to work closely with China in achieving this, we also want to be part of doing business in innovative regulatory framework.”
Osinbajo urged China to invest on board to further assist Nigeria move forward in ICT development, without taking away from what had been achieved in the technology space.
According to the Vice President, Nigeria is open for business with China and we would want to deepen the relationship between us and even drive it further.
He explained that the Buhari administration has strengthened the access to financial inclusion through the conditional cash transfer programme.
“We are working closely with the National Communications Commission as a government and the Ministry of Communications in deepening the reach and ensure that access to finance is achieved.” The Vice President added