Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Identity Management System in Nigeria (IDM): Prospect and Challenges
by Adeola S. Oladele, Falaki S.O, Adewale O.S, Adetunmbi A. Olusola

Abstract:
Identity management is a critical issue in economic and socio-political well-being of any nation. A nation that cannot boast of knowing her citizens is devoid of peace, economic stability and would not be able to provide adequate security for its citizenries. The recent surge in crime in Nigeria and the attendance violent activities of terrorists demand that more attention be paid to identifying people living in the nation territory. There have been speculations that those responsible for recent wake of bombing activities in Nigeria are foreigners from neighboring countries but that allegation cannot be substantiated; no thanks to poor identity management system(IDM). Also, different security organizations in the country are said to have been infiltrated thereby making it difficult for government to know who is who in order to curb the vices. The allegation of presence of criminals in national assembly is rife. The business community and government services would need the IDM in Nigeria for effective service delivery. Hence, it becomes a necessity to pay more attention to knowing people living in Nigeria as lack of this and poor identity management is gradually leading to national tragedy. This paper discusses IDM in Nigeria as well as examining its prospects and challenges so as to give the stakeholders an insight to issues surrounding the IDM and in so doing provides a ground for them to tackle the myriad of problems associated with IDM. We also suggest pro-active steps to resolving the crises in order to achieve socio-economic and political emancipation of the country thus saving our nascent democracy from collapsing.

Keywords: identity, management, crime, biometric

Download full paper