Developer allays concerns over safety of NIMC’s new self-service app
Following mounting safety concerns raised by Nigerians assessing the newly launched self-service application of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the software’s developer has assured that the tool is embedded with formidable security features.
Chief Executive Officer of Barnksforte Technology Ltd, an indigenous technology company which developed the software, Mr Dayo Bankole, who gave the assurances in a statement in Abuja, Thursday, described the fears raised by Nigerians as ‘needless concerns.’
Major concerns have been expressed by Nigerians lately over the safety of the app as, according to them, vital personal data are requested by the software during interaction.
However, dispelling the fears, Mr Bankole said that necessary security measures had been put in place to ensure that the integrity of the application was thorough, with no gaps for security breach or compromise.
According to him, the self-service mobile application, which is a giant stride in digitalisation of biometric enrollment, was developed by NIMC in partnership with Barnksforte Technologies Ltd.
Bankole said that it was unfortunate that some persons for selfish reasons would discredit such a laudable innovation that had the capacity to change the narrative across Africa and the world at large, adding further that the narrative that Nigeria’s database would be compromised by foreigners using the self-service application was not only mischievous, but an attempt to undermine NIMC’s capability.
“Nigerians should be assured that their biometrics are safe, and the choice of the current NIMC director-general, an expert with proven years of experience is not a mistake.
“I am disappointed by masterminds of the wrong reports about the effort of government to place Nigeria on the world stage in terms of technological advancement.
“Rather than carry out due diligence on the features of the application before going public, they are quick to put out reports to dissuade Nigerians from keying into the present government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in that regard,” said Bankole.
He said if those behind the negative reports had made enquiries, they would have realised that the application process was only part of the whole package, just as he added that ‘there was a formidable backend technology to verify every information provided by an applicant.’
Bankole further disclosed that the NIMC was collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other local technical partners on one of the basic requirements for enrollment for NIN for Nigerians in Diaspora.
He stressed that the Diaspora Nigerians are required to provide the international passport number to be able to apply.
“The application is the front-end identity solution and all data is sent directly to the NIMC database which is also well-secured.”
On the enrollment process, the technology expert said that the process was seamless once downloaded from Google Play Store or IOS.
Other steps, according to Bankole, are authentication, adding that “for those with the NIN, it is the key to accessing the self-service enrollment.
“Those without NIN are accommodated through secure emails, adjusting the process accordingly.”
