Inmates To Have National Identity Numbers – NIMC Reveals.
In a move set to bolster inclusivity and security within Nigeria’s correctional system, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has granted a licence to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for the registration of inmates across more than 252 custodial centres nationwide. This initiative will see inmates being issued a National Identification Number (NIN), thereby integrating them into national development frameworks.
The licence was approved following a request by Sylvester Nwakuche, the acting controller-general of the NCoS, during his visit to Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director-General of NIMC. Nwakuche highlighted that the NIN registration would play a pivotal role in ensuring that inmates are not left out of national development plans, enhancing safety, and aiding in the recapture of escapees during jailbreaks.
“The licence will enable us to register inmates for NIN, which is crucial for their inclusion in societal development plans,” Nwakuche stated. He further elaborated on the educational achievements within correctional facilities, noting, “There are lots of socio-economic developments within the correctional service systems. This has led to a number of inmates obtaining university degrees, master’s degrees, and PhDs in various fields.”
He stressed the importance of not excluding such individuals from national planning, advocating for their integration into society post-incarceration to become productive members of their families and the nation.
In response, Director-General Coker-Odusote underscored the significance of the NIN in national development, particularly its integration with sectors like banking. “NIN is vital for Nigeria’s development,” she said, pointing out its role in President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda which focuses on authenticity and transparency in government initiatives, such as student loans.
“For instance, NIN was tied to student loans to eradicate duplicity and prevent ghost beneficiaries,” she explained, assuring that NIMC would provide all necessary support to the NCoS to execute this mandate effectively.
The collaboration extends beyond just the NCoS, with Coker-Odusote revealing ongoing partnerships with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other governmental bodies, aiming to leverage digital identity for broader national benefits.
This initiative marks a significant step towards rectifying the exclusion of inmates from societal frameworks, promoting rehabilitation, and ensuring their contributions to national development are acknowledged and utilized.
