Wikipedia

Aliyu Aziz

Aliyu Abubakar Aziz is a chartered engineer with over 30 years post-qualification experience in information technology, management, and administration. He is the current Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).[1][2][3][4] He had previously worked with some of the most progressive Government Institutions in Nigeria during their transformative years.

Aliyu Aziz
Director General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission
Assumed office
November 24, 2015
Preceded byChris Onyemenam
Personal details
Born (1962-05-17) May 17, 1962 (age 61)
Gembu, Mambilla Plateau area of Taraba State, Nigeria
SpouseMarried with Children
Alma materAhmadu Bello University
ProfessionStructural Engineer and Information Technology Expert
Websitealiyuaziz.com

Aziz is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he received a B.Eng in Civil Engineering and an M.Sc. in Structural Engineering with specialty in Computer-aided design. He started his working career as a Graduate Assistant in the Civil Engineering Department of the university. He went on to become a Principal Partner of Integrated Engineering Associates (IEA), where he designed and supervised several prominent buildings and bridges in Kaduna and Abuja environs, including NUC Secretariat, PHCN Headquarters, AP Plaza, NACB Office block, and Nigeria Ports Authority Headquarters.[5] and many others.

Early life and education edit

Aziz was born in Gembu, Mambilla Plateau area of Taraba State, Nigeria. He received early education at Ganye 1 Primary School and Government Secondary School Ganye, Adamawa State. He enrolled into the School of Basic Studies Zaria where he obtained ‘A’ level qualification before moving to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna state to study Civil Engineering. He graduated with a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering with Second Class Upper Division in 1983. In 1985 he earned NCC Certificate of System Analysis and Design and later pursured an M.Sc. in Structural Engineering, at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated in 1987.[6][7] Aziz is currently pursuing a PhD in Reliability of Offshore Structures at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Aziz is an alumnus of Harvard and Stanford universities, IMD, and Lagos Business School, where he obtained several specialized trainings and certifications in several fields, at International Business Schools and Engineering Firms in Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, UK, USA, Australia, Nigeria, etc.

Engineering and Information Technology Career edit

Aziz started his engineering career in the Public Institution as a graduate assistant in the civil engineering department of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In 1987, Aziz left ABU Zaria to join a private firm, Mai and Associates as a Pupil Engineer and rose to the rank of Project Engineer.

After leaving Mai and Associates,  Aziz joined a group of friends in 1992 to found an engineering firm, Integrated Engineering Associates, and became a principal partner[8] responsible for computer applications for structural engineering design and drafting. Aziz was credited for designing customized computer programmes such as spreadsheets, database, AutoCAD, AutoLISP and management information systems for the exclusive use of the firm. Aziz is a computer programmer and writes in several programming languages including BASIC, FORTRAN, APL, C++, Lisp, Java, Python and R.[5]

Aziz then became a principal consultant on a joint venture partnership with Afri-Projects Consortium, consulting for the Petroleum Trust Fund, an agency of the Government of Nigeria and was the head of the Management Information Systems Department. There, he oversaw all computer and database-related activities in the organization. In 2000, Petroleum Trust Fund was dissolved and Afri-Projects Consortium's consultancy contract was terminated. Aziz left the firm and founded Integrated Systems Solution Limited, which focused on rendering information technology solutions. He was a consulting engineer on high-profile projects including:[5]


In 2002, Aziz joined the Bureau of Public Enterprises as deputy director in charge of information technology with the task of formulating the agency's information technology strategy, frameworks and implementation for a successful overhaul of government's privatization policy.[9] Aziz provided vision and leadership for developing and implementing information technology initiatives. He combined IT leadership with oversight on the management of all IT planning and implementation by ensuring the preparation of operational and strategic objectives and budgets. He also coordinated, directed and developed IT frameworks, policies and procedures for the bureau and assisted in the organizational restructuring activities of priority sectors/departments of Government.

In 2006, Aziz was appointed as Information Technology Adviser to the Minister of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, Nasir Elrufai. He initiated the e-government system in the FCT ministry, which won a Microsoft award in 2006.[10] Aziz was also a director in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation where he served in the Presidential Implementation Committee, charged with implementing Government Decisions on Consumer Credit System, National Outsourcing Initiative and Harmonization of Identification Schemes in Nigeria. The committee oversaw the setting up of the National Identity Management Commission in 2007. Aziz later became a pioneer staff of the commission and rose to the rank of Directorof Information Technology/Identity Database, a position he held until his retirement in 2014.[8]

National Identity Management Commission edit

In November 2015, Aziz was appointed director general and chief executive officer of Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari for a four-year term. In 2019, he was re-appointed for a second term.[11][12][13]

In April 2019, Aziz obtained, the highest global standards of Information Security Management System for the commission, in its determination to ensure the security of citizen's data.[14] In March 2019 Aziz announced that the commission was opening enrollment centers in foreign countries to enroll Nigerians in Diaspora into the National Identity Database (NIDB).[15][16]

Aziz is on a mission to ensure that all Nigerians and legal residents are issued unique digital identities. During his first tenure, the commission made great strides even though it faced and still faces challenges. Some of the achievements can be seen in the following areas:

Enrollment edit

  • Increase in enrolment records from 7 million in 2015 to 41.6 million in Q1 2020.
  • Harmonization of 11 million BVN[clarification needed] records.
  • Commenced enrolment in Borno and Yobe States.
  • Commenced enrolment of minors (children under the age of 16 years).
  • Diaspora enrolment in 22 countries across 5 continents (UAE, UK, USA, India and South Africa, Austria, China, Saudi Arabia, Benin Republic).
  • Increase in enrolment centers from 431 in 2015 to about 1100 in 2020.

Back-end infrastructure upgrade edit

  • Upgrade of Automated Biometric Identification System to the latest technology (MORPHO BSS)
  • ISO re-certification (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019)
  • Deployment of USSD Code *346# for NIN retrieval.
  • Roll out of API[clarification needed] for verification and enrolment, consumed by about 30 government agencies so far.
  • NIN Tokenization[17][18]

Ecosystem approach edit

  • Federal Executive Council approval for the implementation of the strategic roadmap for digital identity ecosystem in Nigeria, through the development partners funding (World Bank, Agence Francaise de Développement and European Union).
  • Advertised for data capture license on the digital ID with evaluation ongoing.

Collaborations edit

  • Collaboration with Nigeria Immigration Services – PKI & Embossed NIN on the Nigerian Passport.[clarification needed]
  • Collaboration with Kaduna State Government on Residency Card, likewise with Lagos, Kano and Delta States
  • Collaboration with PenCom, NHIS, NCC, CAC, FIRS/JTB and INEC
  • Collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service on digital addressing system.
  • Collaboration with UNHCR on IDP registration in Borno State
  • Collaboration with UN Women in Kaduna State.
  • Collaboration with Gombe State Government on NIN verification for Civil Servants.
  • Collaborations with Banks, PFAs, and other private sector institutions to increase enrolment

Publicity/awareness edit

  • Strategic partnership with NOA, FRCN, NAN, and NTA on grass root sensitization on NIMS project.

Federal government intervention edit

  • Hosted ID4AFRICA Conference in Nigeria in 2018.
  • Federal Executive Council - FEC approval for the implementation of the mandatory use of NIN as a valid means of identification.

Regulations edit

Gazette of five NIMC Regulations:

  1. Licensing of the Frontend Services of the NIMC Act 2017
  2. Mandatory use of the National Identification Number Regulations 2017
  3. Nigeria Biometrics Standard Regulations 2017
  4. Registration of Persons and Contents of the NIDB Regulations 2017
  5. Access to Registered Information in the NIDB Regulations 2017

Infrastructure edit

  • Construction of Two (2) NIMC State Offices in Abakaliki and Katsina.
  • Rehabilitation of 10 NIMC State Offices across the Six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. Kano, Sokoto, Enugu, Rivers, Kwara, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Ondo, and Oyo state offices.
  • Rehabilitation of the:
  1. Headquarters Administration Block
  2. Bungalow
  3. Headquarters Cafeteria
  4. Numerization building, now known as Ecosystem Centre
  5. Training Centre and Biometrics
  6. Fortification of the perimeter fence with electric and barbed wire
  7. Headquarters Enrolment Centre
  8. Kaduna Enrolment & Training Centre buildings
  9. Enhanced CCTV to monitor the external environment of the HQ
  • Procurement and installation of Two (2) 250KVA stabilizers in the HQ to ensure the supply of clean and uninterrupted power supply to the Datacenter. This has reduced the consumption of Diesel by about 60% with plans of a further slash to less than 5% using the MG System and Autonomous Power Systems.
  • Network upgrade of HQ Connectivity and Datacenter being carried out by GBB which is about 90% complete
  • Procurement of sundry enrollment equipment and peripherals including but not limited to:
  1. 138 KA Bands + 1-year subscription.
  2. 138 all in one Enrollment systems.
  3. 138 4-4-2 Fingerprint Scanners.
  4. 138 Printers and Scanners.
  5. Assorted furniture for staff in HQ and States.
  6. 2 X 360 KVA Generators for HQ.
  7. Upgrade of Communication Facilities in the Director General's Office, Conference and Board Rooms.
  8. Procurement of Fifteen (15) Project Vehicles to enhance project delivery.

Other Developments edit

  • NIMC nominated on the Board of Open Standards Identity API (OSIA)
  • DG NIMC appointed as the first Chairman of OSIA in June 2019
  • DG NIMC appointed as the ID4Africa Ambassador

Professional Publications edit

Engr. Aziz has published and presented many professional papers. Some professional titles include:

  1. Challenges of the 21st Century and Strategic Tools for the Catalyst, Presentation at National Conference, Lagos for Association of Consulting Engineers (ACEN), November 2000.
  2. Intranet Development in a Project-based Enterprise, International Internet Conference ISOC (Nig) '99 for Internet Society, Nigerian chapter, January 1999.
  3. Repositioning the Consulting Engineer in the Third Millennium, PowerPoint Presentation at the National Conference of the Association of Consulting Engineers (ACEN), November 1999.
  4. Analysis and Design of Solid Slabs to BS8110, Spreadsheet Topics on Computerized Design Office Practice, Workshop for Nigerian Society of Engineers, February, 1995.
  5. AutoCAD - based Structural Drafting, Detailing and Bending Schedules Preparations, New Techniques and Practices in Structural Design Workshop for Nigerian Society of Engineers, September, 1994.
  6. Computer Assisted Civil Engineering Education at Ahmadu Bello University at the 1st National Conference on Computer Applications, February 1985 (Co-authored with Abatan, A.O.)
  7. Software Development in Structural Engineering via Systems modelling, at the International Conference on the Theory, Methods and Practice of Programming by the Computer Association of Nigeria (CAON) April 1985 (Co-authored with Abatan, A.O.)
  8. Damage Detection in a Structural Frame via System Identification Techniques for Structural Health Monitoring System, The Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, National Conference, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja - October 2015

References edit

  1. ^ "Buhari approves reappointment of NIMC boss". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  2. ^ "Buhari approves re-appointment of NIMC boss for second term". The Guardian. November 22, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  3. ^ "[Photo] Buhari Appoints Aliyu Aziz Abubakar As Director-General, NIMC + Read His Profile". Nigerian Monitor. 2015-11-23. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  4. ^ "Buhari Appoints Aliyu Aziz As NIMC CEO". Welcome To Trezzy Helm. November 24, 2015. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  5. ^ a b c "The Abuja Inquirer | Newspaper". The Abuja Inquirer. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  6. ^ "Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz". National Identity Management Commission. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  7. ^ "Meeting, trip-symposium" (PDF). ICAO.
  8. ^ a b "Aliyu Aziz Abubakar". The Interaction Design Foundation. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  9. ^ Aliyu Aziz becomes Deputy Director IT BPE, This Day, 2005 (P15) Retrieved from library archive January 11, 2020
  10. ^ Aliyu Aziz e-government initiative wins Microsoft Award, Punch, June 12, 2006, (page 3) Retrieved January 10, 2020
  11. ^ "Just In:: President Buhari renews Aziz Abubakar's appointment as DG NIMC". TechEconomy.ng - The leading online technology blog in Nigeria. 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  12. ^ "NIMC Boss, Aziz Gets Second Tenure". This Day. November 28, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  13. ^ "Buhari reappoints Aliyu Aziz as NIMC DG". TheCable. 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  14. ^ Adepetun, Adeyemi (April 12, 2019). "NIMC obtains world's highest information on data protection". Guardian. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  15. ^ "NIMC extends diaspora enrolment programme to UAE, UK". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  16. ^ Onwuegbuchi, Chike (June 21, 2019). "FG to provide identification for all Nigerians in five years". Guardian. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  17. ^ Full implementation of Tokenization Solution to begin January 1 2022-NIMC [1]. The Sun Online. Retrieved October 10, 2022
  18. ^ NIN Tokenization [2]. National Identity Management Commission. Retrieved October 10, 2022
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aliyu_Aziz&oldid=1171071506"