The federal government has rolled out the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Cards (ENBIC) to foster the ease of doing business, promote economic prosperity, and enhance security within the sub-region.The project, a brainchild of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), came on stream after 11 years of its conception.Six countries within the region have already rolled out the project in line with ECOWAS protocol to address security issues and boost the economies of member states of ECOWAS.
The ceremony marking the ECOWAS Card inauguration at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, on Friday was attended, among others, by the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Director General of the Department of State (DSS), Adeola O Ajayi, and the Director General of NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.Others are Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, and the representative of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, AIG Victor Olaiya
Speaking at the event, the SGF, Dr George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, described the ECOWAS Card as a powerful engine for regional transformation.
The SGF said Nigeria, despite its challenges, remained an unshakeable pillar for ECOWAS since its establishment in 1975, stating that the ECOWAS Card being inaugurated was a further testimony that Nigeria would continue to play its leadership roles within the sub-region.Dr Akume, who praised President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, for accelerating the process for the launch of the Cards, said the cards would unlock opportunities for businesses, promote regional trade, and ensure digital identity and authentication for citizens within the ECOWAS member countries.He said Nigeria’s commitment towards regional integration and free movement of migrants within the region remained consistent and resolute, adding that the rollout of the ECOWAS Card is not the end of the journey, but a powerful new beginning.
While he urged member states to ensure accessibility to the Cards, he said the success of the efforts also depended largely on partnership with the private sector to drive financial inclusion, and scale up business activities without jeopardising National security.The Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, in his remarks, praised President Tinubu for the landmark achievement, saying that the launch followed 11 years of the conception of the project by ECOWAS member countries.
