The Federal Government of Nigeria has made it mandatory for all foreign diplomats resident in Nigeria to obtain the National Identity Numbers, NIN.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement by his Technical Assistant, Dr Femi Adeluyi.
According to the statement, a Special Enrollment Centre will be set up at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement reads:” The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has approved the setting up of a National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment center at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
” The desk will be set up by Tuesday, 19th of January, 2021.
“This enrolment centre will provide support for members of the Diplomatic Corps and will be managed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, through the National Identity Management Commission.
“The centre is being set up based on the request of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats.
“The National Identity Number is mandatory for diplomats who will reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more.
“It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country as stated in Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007.
“The Law has made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain a NIN since 2007. However, compliance has been low, until recently.“