The Federal Government has broadened its regional security strategy and modernized national identity management with the formal introduction of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC). The Initiative, which has placed Nigeria as the seventh country in the sub region to adopt digital credentials, signal a renewed offensive against trans-border criminality, irregular migration and document falsification across West Africa.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the activation of the biometric card marks a powerful new beginning for regional mobility and security cooperation. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Permanent Secretary Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, 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.

Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, described the milestone as both historic and technologically significant adding the ENBIC replaces the old paper-based travel certificate and is built on advanced biometric and cryptographic architecture compliant with ECOWAS and ICAO standards. In a message delivered on his behalf, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, commended Nigeria for once again asserting leadership at a time of significant regional challenges.

The Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Dimanche Sharon, also hailed the launch, describing the card as a strategic step toward secure mobility that will greatly enhance migration management and identity verification in the sub-region.