A bill aimed at repealing the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act of 2007 has successfully passed its second reading in the Senate.

This bill proposes the creation of a National Identity Database, with the NIMC responsible for maintaining this database, registering individuals, and issuing identity credentials.

Introduced for the first time on June 5 and sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, the bill was presented again on Tuesday.

The bill seeks to enhance the efficiency and inclusivity of the Identity Management System by incorporating comprehensive provisions that align with global best practices.

During the lead debate, the proposed legislation was described as essential for the socio-economic and political development of the country, as well as for national security and an effective identity management system.

The bill aims to streamline the sharing of personal data, implement robust data protection measures to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ data, and foster trust among citizens in the management of their information, among other objectives.