The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) is now compulsory for car registration and issuance of the driver’s licence.
Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, FRSC disclosed this at a workshop organised for sector heads of the driver’s licence on Friday in Abuja.
According to him, the action became imperative in order to stop corruption, lamenting that FRSC has been faced with a lot of problems in respect to the production of the driver’s licence.
Oyeyemi said that there was need to improve the production of the driver’s licence, adding that the driver’s licence is not just a permit or an authorisation to drive a vehicle on Nigerian roads, but also a highly valued identification and security document.
“It is useful for identity tracking, especially when it involves travelling and driving outside the country.
“As a matter of fact, it also offers support to the different agencies who desire to keep a tab on the identity of holders, including the diplomatic community,” Boboye said.
According to him, the new directive is in line with the direction of the government to guard against practices that are inimical to the sustenance.
He reiterated that the decision is to curb corruption in the driver’s licence production chain.
Oyeyemi, added that the same would apply to vehicle registration, stressing that Nigeria was experiencing challenges relating to identity theft like many countries, NAN reports.
“Without a NIN, you cannot continue any vehicle registration. This is also to ensure that the correct information is provided and kick against corruption,” the FRSC boss added.
He added that the directive is important for the FRSC to avoid double identity and ease the processing of the driver’s licence as well.