NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
BRISIN boss pushes for national data system support

BRISIN boss pushes for national data system support

152 total views today

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Dr Anthony Uwa, Head of the Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria (BRISIN), has called on Nigerians at home and abroad to rally behind the long-delayed national data project.

He emphasised that the initiative was crucial for addressing the country’s escalating challenges in security, identity management, and development.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Uwa expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in several states where unidentified gunmen and kidnappers continued to perpetrate deadly attacks with little chance of identification or prosecution.

“The ongoing loss of lives in Benue, Plateau, Niger, Borno, Gombe, Enugu, and other states at the hands of unidentified assailants is deeply troubling.

“Who are these so-called gunmen? Where do they come from? Are they not part of communities, villages, and states, or are they simply entering undetected?”

He stressed that the absence of a centralised data infrastructure had created a safe haven for criminals, undermining national security and public trust.

“Without reliable data systems, criminals move freely and remain anonymous.

“We must ask ourselves, why can’t we trace them?” he said.

Beyond security, Uwa highlighted a broader crisis surrounding legal identity and documentation in Nigeria.

He cited the widespread use of forged documents, the frequent non-registration of births, deaths, and marriages, and the inconsistent issuance of identity cards and passports as major setbacks.

“Forgery and fraud thrive because we lack the infrastructure for real-time verification.

“Vital events often go undocumented, leading to a ripple effect of health, legal, and administrative challenges, including the problem of ghost workers,” he noted.

According to him, many Nigerians face humiliation at airports and border posts due to conflicting or unreliable documentation, further emphasising the need for a reliable identity system.

On the economic front, Uwa revealed that Nigeria lose billions of Naira annually to fraud, unregulated businesses, and informal sector activities, issues that could be addressed through a robust national data system.

“Many government programmes fail not because they are poorly designed, but because they are not backed by accurate, actionable data,” he added.

Uwa urged all Nigerians to support the implementation of BRISIN, which was approved in 2007 as a foundational platform for building an inclusive data and information infrastructure for national governance and development.

He said in spite of its importance, the project had seen minimal progress in nearly two decades, largely due to funding challenges.

“It’s time for Nigerians everywhere to take ownership of our future.

“Visit www.brisin.ng and click ‘SUPPORT BRISIN’ to help restore national credibility, strengthen security, and enable effective governance through data.”(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Centralised data key to tackling insecurity, economic woes – BRISIN

Centralised data key to tackling insecurity, economic woes – BRISIN

215 total views today

By Angela Atabo

The Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria (BRISIN) has been identified as a critical tool in addressing Nigeria’s persistent issues of insecurity and economic instability.

Dr Anthony Uwa, Head of BRISIN Implementation in Nigeria, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, BRISIN is an integrated data and information infrastructure designed for real-time data governance across all sectors of the economy and government.

He explained that in May 2007, the Federal Government signed a service agreement for the implementation of BRISIN, selecting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the pilot phase.

 “However, 18 years later, the system is yet to be implemented, in spite of its numerous benefits.”

Uwa emphasised that effective governance and sustainable development were impossible without a reliable and comprehensive data infrastructure.

“You cannot run a government without data governance that guides decisions on national security, social systems, economic planning, revenue generation, and democratic development,” he said.

He added that BRISIN could support sectors such as rural development, employment, diaspora integration, migration control, and social welfare.

“Nigeria lacks a foundational system because there is no data and information infrastructure.

“You can’t solve problems like insecurity, unemployment, or economic instability without it,” Uwa stressed.

He noted that BRISIN was conceived during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration as a fundamental infrastructure to drive lasting change and attract both local and foreign investment.

He also said it would help Nigeria access international grants and funding, identify Nigerians at home and abroad, and provide reliable demographic data.

“With BRISIN in place, Nigeria would command more respect globally, operate credibly, and manage governance effectively. Unfortunately, the FCT Minister is yet to activate the pilot phase,” he added.

Uwa revealed that the Italian government, through the MATEI Programme for Africa, approved 600 million dollars for BRISIN in Nigeria.

“However, the release is pending a letter from the FCT confirming the project’s commencement and counterpart funding, still not submitted 14 months later.”

He urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to act swiftly, stating that implementing BRISIN in the capital would modernise the city and improve governance structures.

Uwa added that the system had the potential to generate up to N1.5 trillion annually in internally generated revenue (IGR) by effectively monitoring and controlling all economic activities within the FCT.

Also speaking, Mr Lorenzo Santangelo, Director at Dermo Impex Nigeria Ltd, the BRISIN solution providers, said the system could create up to 10 million jobs in Nigeria.

He explained that by integrating data systems across all ministries and agencies, governance would become more efficient and credible.

“When every government body has access to the same accurate data, it becomes easier to identify needs, streamline services, and eliminate duplication,” Santangelo said.

He added that BRISIN would improve national planning by tracking population movements, consumer preferences, and regional needs, informing decisions on infrastructure, imports, and public services.

“Credibility comes when citizens are properly identified from birth, with clear data on their parents and place of origin.

“This builds a foundation for proper governance and national development,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email