Database Duplicity in Nigeria: A Quest for Legislative Action towards Data Harmonization Policy

Abstract

Nigeria’s lack of good and systematic database has, in no small measure, affected effective national strategic planning and management of migration and crime control. The aim of this brief is to advocate for the creation of a single centralized database with the view of having effective and efficient central data management system for the country. The brief argues that there is an urgent need to pass a legislation to support the harmonization of existing disaggregated databases and creation of a central national database for the country. It therefore recommends that the National Assembly may pass a Bill to: give the harmonization mandate to NIMC through its NIN project; and allow other relevant agencies to share a pool of data they need from that platform.