By Zakaria Aweis Sayid-mohamed - Quality Management Advisor at the Office of the Auditor General of the FRS
“NIRA is the institution; the National ID is the document it issues. That small distinction matters for institutional clarity.” Zakaria Aweis Sayid-mohamed
Language matters, especially in public administration. The words we use shape how people understand institutions, public services, and government processes. While some mistakes in everyday speech may seem harmless, others can become so widespread that they gradually replace the correct terminology—even in official communication.
One example is the increasingly common practice of referring to the National ID as “NIRA.”
Today, it is common to hear people say, “I have my NIRA,” “I lost my NIRA,” or “Please attach your NIRA to the application.” More surprisingly, this wording is not confined to everyday conversation. It also appears in public notices, embassy announcements, websites, media reports, and even communications issued by government institutions.
Although almost everyone understands what is meant, the terminology is incorrect.
The reason is simple: NIRA is the institution.
NIRA stands for the National Identification and Registration Authority—the government body responsible for registering citizens, maintaining the national identity system, and issuing National IDs.
The document issued by NIRA is the National ID. These are two different things: one is an institution; the other is a document.
Consider a few familiar examples. We do not say, “I forgot my Immigration and Citizenship Agency at home,” when we mean our passport. Nor do we say, “I renewed my Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation,” when we renew a driving licence. We naturally distinguish between the organization that provides a service and the document it issues.
The same distinction should apply to NIRA and the National ID.
A citizen receives a National ID from NIRA. The citizen does not receive “a NIRA.”
Some may ask whether this really matters. After all, everyone understands what is being referred to.
The answer is yes—it matters.
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Governments rely on clear and consistent language. Official terminology reduces ambiguity, improves communication, and strengthens public understanding of institutions. When inaccurate expressions become normalized, they can find their way into official documents, media publications, educational materials, and legal correspondence, spreading the confusion further.
As Somalia continues to strengthen its public institutions and digital services, consistency in official language should be part of that progress. Ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), international organizations, the media, and educational institutions all have a role to play in using the correct terminology. Citizens, too, can contribute by adopting accurate language in everyday communication.
This is not about criticizing those who have used the term incorrectly. The widespread use of “NIRA” to mean the National ID is understandable because people naturally associate an institution with the service it provides.
Rather, it is an opportunity to improve public awareness and promote greater precision in our communication.
The distinction is straightforward:
NIRA is the government institution.
The National ID is the identity document issued by that institution.
It is a small difference in wording, but an important difference in meaning.
As Somalia continues building stronger public institutions, it should also build a culture of using the right words. Accurate terminology is more than a matter of language. It reflects professionalism, strengthens institutional identity, and contributes to a better-informed society.
Zakaria Aweis Sayidmohamed is a Quality Management Advisor at the Office of the Auditor General of the FRS, with more than 11 years of professional experience in institutional development, quality management, public-sector auditing, and human resource management.
This opinion does not represent the position, policy, or work of the institution with which the author is affiliated. It reflects solely his personal views and opinions.