The building of trust infrastructure is the most important factor in promoting trade and economy in a society. Its prioritization will enable people to venture into commerce, and reduce transaction cost which will aid strong development. Resultantly, the need to establish trust is highly significant. Currently, Nigeria is known as a low-trust society. In reference to slave trade, approximately 30 percent of people who were kidnapped and sold into slavery in Nigeria were betrayed by people they know.
Overtly, low-trust has been built as a defence mechanism in cultures, and even the modern Nigeria by the government or individuals and the consequences for breaking the trust of the society is not severe. Unfortunately, these have prevented the development of the economy in the greatest meaningful ways. Nevertheless, careful investment can ensure trust infrastructure through systematic manners, attracting severe costs on anybody that damages its value, be it governments, individuals or corporates. Necessarily, four building blocks will be used to achieve it.
There are four building blocks to achieve this goal.
To achieve this trust infrastructure, the first block is the establishment of centralised digital identity management system for the country. The National Identity Number (NIN) is the current identification system developed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), accounting for 98.7 million identification numbers in 1st May, 2023. Nevertheless, there are other identity management data developed by other bodies in Nigeria such as Bank Verification Number (BVN) issued by Nigerian Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS), Voter Cards issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Company Registration Data developed by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
An intuitive mapping of locations in Nigeria is the second block. This is a linkage between identity management system and the mapped location. This is limited to urban areas for the existence of postcodes, while they break down in rural areas which will only result to less detailed information for description which are inaccurate. An appropriately detailed country map is required; it should be well-planned for ensuring a uniform system. A behaviour linkage is the third block. There is tax payment behaviour, traffic and driving behaviour, company ownership, and the less visible insurance behaviour.
Out of 200 million Nigerians, only 98.7 million have NIN.
Additionally, the fourth block refers to incentives which can be used for building trust infrastructure and necessary for maintenance of its integrity. Moreover, the three blocks must be established before the goal of the fourth block can be achieved to build trust infrastructure. It is believed that various bodies such as NIMC, NCC, NIBSS, etc., should be united under one ministerial control. The unified trust management body ought to unify all existing identity data into the framework of the NIN. Also, BVN, Death Record, CAC Number, Insurance Policy Number, Passport Number, Drivers License Number, Tax ID, Birth Record must be verified with this NIN for easy trace of identity on the Identity management data.
At the technical level, the backend linkages can conduct a well-structured project within 12 or 15 months. Although Nigeria’s total population is estimated at 200 million, there are only 98.7 million NIN identification in Nigeria. This makes the statistics incomplete and inaccurate, and as a result, the upcoming census is significant. NPC requested huge funds to see the census successful and to solve issues like the mapping issue and linkage of all identity management data to accurate mapped locations through the NIN. Smart devices, INEC BVAS, should be used for Census enumerators for facial recognition on NIN database and to leverage fingerprint, or registered phone number.
ID system can be used for evaluation of potential tenants by landlords.
Importantly, this identity will ensure uniqueness which will include biometric data, merging the name and address of a person together. The census will be an harmonised exercise, while executing the three blocks before the incentives block. The use of this design can also help with housing issues for agents and landlords to use the ID system to evaluate the NIN identity of a potential tenant. It can also be included in rental agreements . The incentive design also works with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Related Link
NIMC: Website
Building trust infrastructure in Nigeria – Nigeria is regarded as a low-trust nation; a defence mechanism attribute. – Express your point of view.
Building trust infrastructure in Nigeria is a critical step towards fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society. As a low-trust nation, Nigeria faces significant challenges in areas such as business, governance, and social cohesion. This lack of trust can lead to corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of investment, all of which can hinder economic growth and development. However, by investing in trust infrastructure, such as effective legal systems, transparent governance, and strong social institutions, Nigeria can begin to overcome these challenges and build a more resilient and prosperous society. This will require a concerted effort from all sectors of society, including government, civil society, and the private sector, to work together towards this common goal. While building trust infrastructure will not be easy, it is essential if Nigeria is to realize its full potential and become a more prosperous and inclusive nation.
Trust infrastructure is a really serious initiative. There will be a need for serious tracking of people through NIN, to ensure structures can be built for people in trust.
A vital first step in establishing a more inclusive and successful society in Nigeria is the establishment of a trust infrastructure. Nigeria confronts many difficulties as a low-trust country, but it may start to overcome these difficulties and create a more resilient and affluent community. To achieve this, it will take a concerted effort from all spheres of society, including the government and the people
Building trust infrastructure in Nigeria The development of a trust infrastructure is an essential step in creating a more welcoming and prosperous society in Nigeria. Building of trust in the country will bring progress and benefit the people in the country
Nigeria is regarded as a low-trust nation; a defence mechanism attribute. Nigeria may start to overcome these difficulties and create a society that is more adaptable and affluent. To achieve this, it will take a concerted effort from all spheres of society for us to build trust in the country
The reality is this, what is called trust is fund wanting in our society and our country. It is too difficult to transact business with anyone without getting their details. To build the trust infrastructure, It is therefore important for the unified trust management body ought to unify all existing identity data into one framework using NIN as the only form of identity.