FG Approves Digital Identity For IDPs

The Federal Government has approved digital Identity for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

This is in line with the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, had on Wednesday, November 11, presented memos on a Draft National Policy on Digital Identity for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and a request for the construction of a Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

According to a statement signed by Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant (Information Technology) to Dr Pantami, the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) shows that millions of citizens fall under the IDP category.

PRESS STATEMENT

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVES DIGITAL ID FOR IDPs AND CENTRE FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIPhttps://t.co/Lei1usMzOC#FMoCDEStatement#DigitalNigeria pic.twitter.com/yn2fRWlShU

— Fed Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy (@FMoCDENigeria) November 12, 2020

He disclosed that Borno State has the highest number of IDPs, while Ondo State has the lowest number at over 1.49 million and over 1,000 people, respectively.

A Digital ID will enable the IDPs access public, private and humanitarian services and it will also improve internal security.

The purpose of innovation is to give rise to new ideas and technologies which eventually increase productivity.

Additionally, the initiative will enable organizations to generate greater output with the same input.

The Federal Government also approved the creation of a Centre for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Centre for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Centre will provide facilities to nurture new ideas and focus on promoting and developing emerging technologies.

It will also support the implementation of the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT-REAP) in Nigeria.

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According to the 2018 World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, nearly 133 million new jobs may be created by 2022 by innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation and robotics.

What is MIT-REAP?

MIT-REAP is an evidence-based, practical approach to strengthening innovation-driven entrepreneurial (IDE) ecosystems.

It will support the job creation objective of the Federal Government.

Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy will supervise the project while NITDA implements it.

NIMC will implement the Policy andNITDA will manage the Centre based on the minister’s policy.