Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has set 1 September, 2015 as deadline after which all transactions involving the identification of individuals must be carried out using the National Identification Number (NIN).The NIMC said all Nigerians should ensure they are enrolled into the National Identity Database and have been issued a NIN.The transactions that the NIN is needed for include the application for, and issuance of an International Passport; the opening of individual and/or group bank accounts, all consumer credits; purchase of insurance policies; the purchase, transfer and registration of land by any individual and the National Health Insurance Scheme.It also includes transactions that have social security implications, as well as the registration of voters, payment of taxes, and pensions."Clearly, most people are unable to appreciate the shift in paradigm from 'Card Issuance', their familiar turf, to 'Identity Management', the current global trend, which explains the reason why they insist on getting the physical card even after they have been enrolled and issued their NIN", said the body in a statement.It added that the NIMC is focused on establishing 'Foundation Identity' (who you are) as the issuing authority for Nigeria, while all other institutions, including the banks and INEC are focused on 'Functional Identity' (whether you are eligible for a specific service)."Functional Identities established pursuant to various organisations' databases such as the Bank Verification Number (BVN), the Taxpayer Identification Number, etc., are not substitute for the NIN"."Therefore, citizens must ensure that they are enrolled into the National Identity Database (NIDB) by 1st September, 2015, the effective date of commencement of the mandatory use of NIN" said the General Manager,Information Technology/Identity Database, Chuks Onyepunuka.

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