By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Government says the rollout of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) will transform Nigeria’s border security architecture, regional mobility framework and curb irregular migration.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume said this on Friday in Abuja during the official inauguration of the card, themed “ENBIC: Enhancing Regional Integration and Security.
Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mohammed Danjuma, hailed the official rollout of the ENBIC as a milestone for regional integration, security, and economic growth.
He situated the rollout within Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to regional cohesion.
He recalled that the technical blueprint for the biometric card was adopted at an ECOWAS summit hosted in Abuja in 2014, describing Friday’s launch as a testament to shared political will.
He described the launch of ENBIC as more than just the distribution of an identity card, but the activation of a “powerful engine of regional transformation” that aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the ENBIC embodies innovation, security, and inclusive economic growth, reflecting Nigeria’s commitment to a united and prosperous West Africa
“The card carries symbolic and practical significance. In our hands is a simple card, but in our hearts lies a profound hope.
“It is a tool of dignity for migrant women, an enabler for cross-border traders and a promise of a West Africa where borders become bridges of opportunity rather than barriers.”
Akume urged ECOWAS member states to accelerate the deployment of the card and harmonise national databases to build a fully interoperable regional identity system.
He also challenged the private sector, especially fintech innovators, to build services atop the platform to drive inclusion and digital growth.
In his goodwill message, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, commended Nigeria for once again asserting leadership at a time of significant regional challenges.
Highlighting the region’s security challenges, he said West Africa is currently among the world’s most affected areas in terms of terrorism-related deaths.
He disclosed that ECOWAS forces were currently deployed in Guinea-Bissau to stabilise the situation and praised Nigeria’s continuing role in promoting peace and development across the bloc.
Touray projected that by the turn of the next century, Nigeria was expected to rank among the world’s top five economies.
He, however, added that the ENBIC rollout was “only the beginning” of a wider biometric identity ecosystem the region hopes to build.
On regional integration, he said the ENBIC initiative represents a crucial tool to foster unity and resilience.
He acknowledged the support of development partners, including the European Union, and emphasised that securing citizenship within the region through ENBIC would drive faster and more coordinated implementation across all member states.
“By the year 2100, Nigeria will be among the top five countries with the highest GDP in the world. This country should take the lead on this,” he said.
Also, speaking, the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Dimanche Sharon, hailed the launch, describing the card as “a strategic step toward secure mobility”.
This, she said would greatly enhance migration management and identity verification in the sub-region.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)