NIMC Announces Paid National ID Cards to Address Financial Constraints and Ensure Accessibility
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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will now be required to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card due to the government’s limited revenue. Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, disclosed this during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos on Friday.
Iwegbu explained that the decision to introduce a fee was made to ensure that the cards are produced only for individuals who truly need them, to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous attempts to issue free National ID cards. He noted that over two million cards were produced in a prior initiative to offer free ID cards, but many of them remain uncollected to this day.
The decision, Iwegbu said, was influenced by the government’s financial constraints, which prevent the full funding of the card production process. He highlighted that limited revenue was a major factor in the new approach.
Mr. Lanre Yusuf, Director of Information Technology at NIMC, further elaborated on the new system, describing the card as a post-paid identity card. Nigerians will now be required to pay, select a pickup location, and collect their cards from the designated location. Yusuf emphasized that while the card will be available for purchase, special programs are in place to ensure it remains accessible to less privileged Nigerians who need it for government support, thus demonstrating the government’s commitment to inclusivity.
The new multipurpose ID cards, which have already gone through a sample test phase, are expected to be launched soon. Yusuf also mentioned that NIMC has partnered with banks across the country, allowing Nigerians to request and collect their cards at any bank branch, ensuring a more convenient experience for cardholders.
The new national identity card, powered by AfriGO in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), will serve various purposes, including identity verification, payments, and access to government services across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This initiative aims to streamline services and make the card a valuable tool for Nigerians across different sectors.
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