The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has approved licence for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to register inmates in over 252 custodial centres across the country for national identification number (NIN).
NAN reports that the approval followed a request made by Sylvester Nwakuche, the acting controller-general of the NCoS, during a visit to Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the director-general of NIMC, in her office.
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Nwakuche said that the licence would enable the inmates to register for NIN, eliminating their exclusion from national development plans, ensuring safety and security, and facilitating smooth recapture during jailbreaks.
He added that the visit aimed to foster collaboration between the correctional service and NIMC to enhance the service’s operations.
Nwakuche noted that inmates are achieving academic milestones, earning university degrees, including master’s degrees and PhDs, in diverse disciplines within correctional facilities.
“There are lots of socio-economic developments within the correctional service systems,” he said.
“This has led to a number of inmates obtaining university degrees, master’s degrees, and doctor of philosophy (PhD) in various fields.
“Such inmates should not be excluded from the national development plans of the country, as they should be integrated into society to become useful for their families and the country.”
The NCos boss added that inmates awaiting trial should be included in national development initiatives and planning processes.
While speaking, the NIMC DG said the NIN is vital for Nigeria’s development and has been integrated with the banking sector.
Coker-Odusote added that President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda relies on the country’s digital identity, specifically the NIN, to ensure authenticity and transparency in initiatives such as student loans.
“For instance, NIN was tied to student loans to eradicate duplicity and prevent ghost beneficiaries,” she added.
“We will give you the licence and support to ensure you carry out the mandate of the service effectively.”