The Akwa Ibom State Government’s initiative to establish the Akwa Ibom Electronic Identity (e-ID) Passport portal is quite commendable. I would like to acknowledge the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy for spearheading this effort. For a long time, Akwa Ibom State has cried for a policy direction that aligns its information technology with international best practices.
Governor Umo Eno’s appointment of Dr. Frank Ekpenyong as the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy appears to be one of the best political decisions made by the governors of Akwa Ibom State in recent history. Although I am not personally acquainted with Dr. Ekpenyong, my assessment is based on professional observations as an IT professional from Akwa Ibom State. I have been an advocate for the establishment of a dedicated ICT ministry in Akwa Ibom State, a call I publicly made in an open letter to the then Governor of Akwa Ibom State, HE. Obong (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpan on social media in February 2013.
Yesterday, March 13, 2025, I stumbled on a social media post about the launch of Akwa Ibom Electronic Identity (e-ID) Passport portal (https://www.identity.akwaibomstate.gov.ng/) and quickly decide to test the system.
My observation informs this writing.
Verdict: Akwa Ibom Electronic Identity (e-ID) Passport is quite a beautiful and laudable initiative.
Attractive platform feature implementations:
1. NIN Integration & Foundational Identity Verification
• Mandatory National Identity Number (NIN) linkage to ensure consistency across government databases.
• Implementation: API integration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for real-time validation of biographic and biometric data
2. Automated Data Harmonization
• Cross-check applicant data against NIMC, immigration, and voter databases to resolve discrepancies
As at the time I tested the portal, below were my observations that need to be quickly corrected:
1. The Mobile Phone field has not been appropriately configured to accommodate Nigeria’s mobile phone input format. It currently remains in the international format.
2. When an error occurs and the user navigates back to the previous page, the selected option from the populated list in the “LGA of Residence” field is lost.
3. While the live photo capture feature should remain for real-time authentication of applicants, there should also be an option to upload a high-definition passport photograph. This uploaded photograph should adhere to specific requirements, such as dimensions and background specifications.
To develop a robust State Government electronic passport identity platform, the system must balance user convenience with stringent security measures. Drawing from Nigeria’s Enhanced e-Passport initiative, India’s Passport Seva ecosystem, and global e-passport standards and a cybersecurity professional, I would suggest that the below be given consideration to improve the security of the portal:
Security Implementation for Considerations
End-to-End Encryption:
• Encrypt data in transit (TLS 1.3+) and at rest (AES-256).
Strict Access Controls:
• Blockchain-based audit logs for tracking data access/modification.
Compliance & Testing:
• GDPR-like frameworks for data minimization (collect only essential fields).
Data Harmonization:
• AI-driven reconciliation tools to flag mismatches in names, birthdates, or citizenship status.
The implementation of the Akwa Ibom Electronic Identity (e-ID) Passport portal is a testament to the state’s commitment to digital transformation. This initiative aims to provide a secure and verified digital identity for Akwa Ibom indigenes, ensuring that only genuine residents can access government benefits. This move towards e-governance is likely to improve service delivery, increase transparency, and enhance citizen participation in government processes.
By prioritising interoperability with national ID systems, adopting hardened encryption standards, and enforcing strict access governance, Akwa Ibom State government can mitigate risks while delivering a seamless citizen experience within the e-ID passport platform.
Destiny Young
