Adegbuyi Advocates Linking Digital ID with Location Data

Bisi Adegbuyi, the former Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Postal Service, has urged the Nigerian government to integrate digital identity with physical location data to enhance public service delivery. In a statement released on September 16, marking International Identity Day, Adegbuyi argued that Nigeria's advancements in digital identity, payment, and tax systems would be ineffective without ensuring that services reach their intended beneficiaries.

He proposed a “phygital” last-mile system that would link digital identity with verified location data, allowing for better identification of individuals and their locations. Adegbuyi noted that while Nigeria has made progress in foundational identity and digital transactions, the focus should now shift to translating these systems into tangible benefits for citizens.

He emphasized the importance of federating existing institutions responsible for identity and service delivery to improve efficiency and privacy, rather than creating a centralized database. Adegbuyi highlighted that poor location data contributes significantly to the cost of doing business and accessing government services.