By Nathan Emmanuel
The pursuit of excellence with unrestrained passion has led Engineer Aliyu Aziz Abubakar, the former Director General of the National Identity Management Commission, to achieve wonders with unsurpassed joy while leading one of the biggest identity management projects in Africa.
In recognition of his excellence, innovation, leadership, rare accomplishment of providing means of identification to over 100 million Nigerians, and his leadership on identity management in Africa, ID4Africa has appointed Aziz as Ambassador Emeritus.
A letter signed by the Executive Chairman of ID4Africa, Dr. Joseph J. Atick, conveys the organization’s immense pleasure in conferring the prestigious title of “ID4Africa Ambassador Emeritus” upon Mr. Aziz. This honour, effective January 1, 2024, recognizes his outstanding and lasting impact on the identity cause, not just in Nigeria but across African continent.
Accompanying the title, Aziz has received the Ambassador Emeritus certificate, symbolizing his enduring commitment to the collective mission. His distinguished profile will now be prominently featured in the Ambassadors Emeritus section on the official ID4Africa website, ensuring his legacy is celebrated and serves as an inspiration for others.
While his role as the Active Ambassador concludes, Aziz’s position as Ambassador Emeritus solidifies his continued importance in the ID4Africa Movement. This appointment is a testament to the significant role he played in promoting responsible digital identity systems for the benefit of his country and the broader African community.
Aziz’s tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, and ID4Africa eagerly anticipates his continued advocacy in the crucial field of identity development. The organization expresses its deepest gratitude on behalf of the entire ID4Africa Movement, acknowledging his remarkable contributions to advancing the cause of identity for all in Africa.
The letter further expresses the organization’s excitement about Aziz’s continued passionate engagement with the Movement and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. The legacy of Mr. Aziz as an ID4Africa Ambassador Emeritus will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of identity advocates, leaving an indelible mark on the ongoing journey toward identity for all.
Aliyu Aziz Abubakar is a seasoned multidisciplinary Chartered Engineer with over 30 years of post-qualification experience, possessing a diverse skill set that includes expertise in Information Technology, Management, and Administration. Currently serving as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), he has played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s progressive Government Institutions during their transformative phases.
In 2005, Engineer Aziz served as a dedicated member of the Presidential Committee on Harmonization, with the mission to align various identification projects from both government and private sectors. As a pioneer staff member of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), he played an integral role in the revolution and evolution of various aspects of identity management within the Commission.
Progressing in his career, he eventually assumed the position of Director of the Identity Database, where he served until his retirement in 2014. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission. Until his retirement in 2023, he successfully united all stakeholders in a collective effort to strengthen Nigeria’s identity ecosystem.