The Senate, on Wednesday, passed a bill mandating the compulsory registration of Nigerians, which seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s identity management system through the repeal and reenactment of the National Identity Management Commission Act.

The bill also provides for the creation of a centralized database and a commission responsible for registering citizens and issuing identity cards.

The bill passage followed the adoption of the report submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population, Senator Victor Umeh.

Umeh is the lawmaker representing Anambra Central on the platform of the Labour Party.

According to him, the agency will be responsible for maintaining the national identity database, registering individuals and issuing identity credentials.

He said, “The bill will facilitate the creation of a national identity database, enhance biometric data collection, and empower the NIMC to issue regulations and guidelines for implementing the Act and other related matters.”

The senator also assured that the Act would establish a streamlined identity system governed by less restrictive, non-discriminatory, and cost-effective data protection measures that comply with global standards.

Umeh added that the bill received overwhelming support from stakeholders during the public hearing due to the urgent need for a comprehensive national identity system.

The House of Reps has passed second reading of a constitutional amendment bill to remove immunity from the Vice President, the Governors, and their Deputies in order to curb corruption, eradicate impunity, and enhance accountability in public office, along with 41 other bills.

The others bill are:

A Bill for a Creating Additional Three States Oke – Ogun State, ljebu State and Ife – ljesa State.

A Bill for the Creation of “Tiga State” from the Present Kano State with Headquarters in “Rano”.

A bill to Create a New State in the South Eastern Region of Nigeria Known as Orlu State.

A bill to Create an Additional State in the South East Region of Nigeria, Carved from the Existing Five (5) States to be known as Etiti State with Capital at Okigwe.

A Bill to Establish and Provide Roles for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria and Provide for the Recognition of the Advisory Role of Traditional Rulers in the Constitution.

A bill to Grant Citizenship Rights to Spouses of Women from Nigeria, Specify the Minimum Number of Youths and Women that May be Appointed into Specific Offices.

A bill to Guarantee Indigene Status to Persons by Reason of Birth or Continued Residence for a Period of Not Less than Ten Years or by Reason of Marriage.

A bill to include Citizenship by Investment as one of the classes of Citizenship in Nigeria, provides for the Acquisition of Nigerian Citizenship by Qualified Foreign Investors who meet Specified Investment Thresholds.

A bill to Separate the Offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Attorney-General of a State from the Offices of the Minister of Justice of the Federal Government and Commissioner for Justice of the Government of a State.

A bill to Provide for the Establishment of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government.

A bill to Increase the Number of Members of the Federal Civil Service Commission to Provide for each State of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja the Opportunity of One Person Representation.

A bill to Mandate all Government Statutory Corporations, Commissions, Authorities, Agencies including all Persons and Bodies Established by Law to Submit Yearly Financial Statement to the Auditor General within a Specified Period.

A bill to Specify the Period for the Laying of Annual Budget Estimates Before the National and State Houses of Assembly.

A bill to Provide for the Public Disclosure of Reports of the Auditor-General of the Federation and for the Auditor-General of a State.

And others constitutional amendments.