Business
NIMC To Deploy Verification Service Link To MDAs, Banks
The National Identity
Management Commission (NIMC) says it has completed plans to deploy the National Identification Number (NIN) authentication and verification service link to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) and banks.
Mr Chuks Onyepunuka, NIMC’s General Manager, Information Technology and Identity Database, made this known in an interview with the Newsmen in Abuja.
Onyepunuka said that the deployment was part of the commission’s strategy to ensure the success of the proposed September commencement of the mandatory use of NIN.
He said that NIMC had already deployed the authentication and verification service link to one of the security agencies and would soon extend to other agencies.
Onyepunuka also said that NIMC was discussing with the MDA’s and banks to enable them ascertain the infrastructure to achieve the deployment of the NIN authentication and verification service link.
“These institutions include the banks, Nigeria Immigration Service, Ministry of Aviation, Joint Tax Board, State House, National Universities Commission, National Pension Commission, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and National Health Insurance Scheme.
“Others are the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), among others.
“Government institutions and agencies require the biometrics of individuals to offer functional services or for security reasons.
“They are required by law to key into the NIMC National Identity Database for the purpose of identity management and verification,’’ he said.
Onyepunuka said the verification and authentication would be done both online, which has two approaches, and the offline platform.
“The online version has the web portal approach used for NIN verification alone, while the desk top is a robust windows based approach that allows enrolee conduct the NIN verification,” he explained.
He added that, on the presentation of NIN or the fingerprints, the individual or organisation requesting such proof would utilise the online NIMC verification service to confirm such identity.
“For the offline platform, on presentation of the National Electronic Identity Card, the individual or organisation requesting such identity shall authenticate the identity by conducting a Match on Card verification.
“It is an irrefutable offline confirmation by requesting the person to provide his finger prints on a card reading device to enable the matching of the finger print.
“The individual or organisation requesting such a proof has access rights and privileges to determine what category of verification he is allowed to conduct or to view,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the over 400 enrolment centres nationwide to enrol for the NIN.
“This is because no government agency, bank or insurance company, offering services or involved in transactions will be allowed to conduct such without first demanding for NIN.
“Eligible applicants are urged to utilise the NIMC pre-enrolment portal: https://penrol.nimc.gov.ng, to pre-enrol for the NIN before proceeding to any NIMC enrolment centre closest to them for biometrics data capture,” he said. (NAN)
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MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter