National Identity: 230m Nigerians, residents can be identified easily by 2024 – Aladekomo

ABOUT 230 million Nigerians and residents can be easily identified by 2024 if the right strategy is put in place and implemented, according to the Chairman of Chams Plc, Sir Demola Aladekomo.

Speaking in a post-event interview after his presentation at the University of Lagos MBA 83-84 class Business Session, Aladekomo made reference to two key successful national projects:

“The Bank Verification Number (BVN); and INEC’s voters registration, voters cards, call centers & verification. They were both executed seamlessly by local companies with good understanding and knowledge of our peculiarities”

According to him, “These experiences couple with others have put our tech companies in a far better position to handle the identification of 230 million Nigerians and residents by 2024 easily.”

Speaking on the topic, ‘Socio-Economic Benefits of Shifting Paradigms, Aladekomo said the country’s ability to achieve this will bring an immeasurable socio-economic benefits such as, rule of Law, good education and healthcare; reduced banditry, militancy and terrorism; economic transformation in terms of job, credits, financial and economic inclusion which can lift people out of poverty.

He stressed that government can rule with the required data, plan well, prioritise and develop necessary infrastructures and systems for the people. Moreover, it will enable Nigerians to live better, be accepted globally and become proud of their nation.

The CHAMS Plc CEO, however, warned of dire consequences if the right steps are not taken now.

With about 210 million Nigerians yet to be identified fully, Aladekomo foresees increased chaos, anarchy, militancy, banditry, kidnapping, nepotism, secession calls, corruption and blatant stealing. These, he said, will further be exacerbated in 2050 when Nigeria population is expected to increase to about 400 million.

For him, the country not able to manage its people without proper Identity management, it will be faced continuously with challenging socio-economic imperatives, especially in its education and health sectors, infrastructure development, security, and respect for rule of law among others. These anomalies, he said, were gravely exposed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aladekomo then calls for paradigm shift in three areas: prioritising data and technology, multi-agency approach, and private sector involvement.

In addition, he emphasised the need to deliberately promote and engage local companies in the execution of its national identity and other key technology projects. This can bring cost effective delivery, speedy execution of policies, and attraction of funding/investment.